Business Buying Strategies from The Dealmaker's Academy

If you want to succeed at business acquisition, you need the right mindset as well as the right knowledge and strategies. By levelling up your mindset and adopting a new way of thinking, you can change how you see yourself and how others see you, to do bigger deals, more frequently. At the last Dealmakers Retreat, executive coach Vicki Espin revealed how to develop a ‘game-changer’ mindset to stand out and attract opportunities. In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, you can listen to highlights from the presentation, including an exercise to write a professional brand statement to attract dealmaking opportunities to you. Here are the key highlights: How Vicki became a coach and started working with Jonathan What is a game-changer? Your most important relationship in life Understanding ‘Moments of Truth” Your current performance = your potential minus your interference Why your thoughts matter Why you create everything twice Why you need a professional brand statement Do you pass the CEO lift test? Your top signature strengths Here is what you will discover… What is a game-changer mindset and why you need to adopt a new way of thinking to shift where you are right now Why the most important relationship you have in your life is with yourself  Why you need to figure out what you want people to say about you when you’re not “in the room” Why nothing in your life changes unless you do this ONE thing Why you need to pay attention to your emotional intelligence to close more deals The No.1 thing that nearly every conversation about personal brand completely ignores (that you can use to your advantage) The secret to crafting a compelling personal brand statement (it’s not just through practice) Why your non-verbal behaviour counts for far more than you may realise  How to use a scoring system to continually improve your brand statement (or any pitch or presentation document)   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at johnandrews.deallawyer@jmw.co.uk.   Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Watch my FREE Dealmakers webinar training: https://www.dealmakerspodcast.com Get a FREE copy of my book: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/free-book-giveaway Join the Business Acquisition FastTrack course https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/quick   Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria at hello@thedealmakersacademy.com for more information.    

Mastering LinkedIn: Boost Your Business Buying Strategies In this podcast, Jonathan Jay invites LinkedIn expert, Andrew Grill, to share his insights on how to use LinkedIn more effectively, especially for individuals interested in buying businesses. Topics covered include developing online credibility through LinkedIn, improving profiles for greater visibility, using LinkedIn analytics, understanding the LinkedIn algorithm, and exploring various LinkedIn tools. Grill also introduces the 'LinkedIn Social Selling Index' and provides actionable tips for better networking and content sharing on LinkedIn. 00:35 Introduction and Welcome 00:47 The Importance of LinkedIn Profile for Business Buyers 01:19 Guest Speaker Introduction: Andrew Grill 01:41 Andrew's Early Experiences with Technology 02:21 Andrew's Background in Small Business 02:47 The Power of LinkedIn for Business 03:03 Andrew's Journey with LinkedIn 03:47 The Impact of LinkedIn on Andrew's Business 04:01 The Changing Landscape of B2B Selling 05:02 The Importance of Digital First Impressions 05:34 How to Google Yourself Effectively 06:56 The Anatomy of a LinkedIn Page 11:34 The Importance of LinkedIn Activity 15:39 Understanding LinkedIn Public URL and Profile Visibility 19:48 The Difference Between Following and Connecting on LinkedIn 20:40 The Importance of Adding a Note When Connecting on LinkedIn 21:44 Understanding LinkedIn on Desktop and Mobile 22:08 The Importance of Personalizing LinkedIn Connections 22:18 LinkedIn as a Platform for Business Content 22:58 Overcoming Writer's Block on LinkedIn 23:07 Using LinkedIn as a Content Laboratory 23:46 Creating Engaging Content on LinkedIn 27:22 Understanding LinkedIn's Algorithm 32:14 Tips for Creating Great Content on LinkedIn 33:00 Understanding LinkedIn's Social Selling Index (SSI) 34:19 Using LinkedIn's QR Code Feature 35:09 Posting Consistently on LinkedIn 38:04 Actionable Steps to Improve Your LinkedIn Presence Resources Buying a business is only the start, which is why we are now teaching what happens next on the Mastermind program. Now, if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on hello@thedealmakersacademy.com for more information.  If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at johnandrews.deallawyer@jmw.co.uk. If you would like to take the next step to learn the best ways of buying a business, without risking your own cash, you can access my free training at: www.dealmakerspodcast.co.uk Watch my Webinar Training Video: https://www.dealmakerspodcast.co.uk You can also request a free copy of my book at: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/free-book-giveaway/ If you want to jump straight to my live Zoom FastTrack course, please go to: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/fast  Connect with Jonathan Jay at: Website: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-jay-3556b230/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDealmakersAcademy

In this podcast episode of 'Business Buying Strategies', host Jonathan Jay interviews Andrew Scott, an accomplished entrepreneur who has a versatile track record of both buying and selling businesses. Andrew talks about his recent experiences at the Marbella VIP dealmakers retreat and shares insights about his successful exits, including one at thirty times multiple. He also discusses some of the challenges associated with the buying process, dealing with the emotional aspect of buying and selling, and how to maximize the value of a business. The importance of having a proper acquisition process, understanding the target market, and having a long-term value-oriented approach is highlighted. Andrew concludes by stating his current focus on acquiring other marketing-related businesses and building a property portfolio to secure long-term capital value. 00:34 Introduction and Welcome 00:47 Interview with Andrew Scott: Successful Business Exits 01:40 Andrew's Experience in Buying and Selling Businesses 02:17 The Story of Business Leader Magazine 03:55 The Power of PR and Network in Business Valuation 07:46 Andrew's Experience in Buying Businesses 11:15 Lessons from Business Acquisitions 13:41 Recent Business Sales and Future Plans 17:49 Andrew's Motivation for Attending the Event 18:45 Closing Remarks Resources Buying a business is only the start, which is why we are now teaching what happens next on the Mastermind program. Now, if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on hello@thedealmakersacademy.com for more information.  If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at johnandrews.deallawyer@jmw.co.uk. If you would like to take the next step to learn the best ways of buying a business, without risking your own cash, you can access my free training at: www.dealmakerspodcast.co.uk Watch my Webinar Training Video: https://www.dealmakerspodcast.co.uk You can also request a free copy of my book at: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/free-book-giveaway/ If you want to jump straight to my live Zoom FastTrack course, please go to: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/fast  Connect with Jonathan Jay at: Website: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-jay-3556b230/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDealmakersAcademy

This week Jonathan shares insights and experiences of business acquisitions to a live audience in Marbella. Transitioning from financial difficulty to successful entrepreneurship, he explains how the sale of his first business changed everything and resulted in him immersing himself in the world of business acquisitions. Jonathan outlines the reasons why people sell businesses and strategies for purchasing them, Jay sheds light on the potential of business acquisitions as a means of wealth building. He asserts that everyone is capable of buying a business successfully, emphasising the importance of implementing ideas and dealing with 'imposter syndrome', the fear and self-doubt that can hinder progress. He also explores how acquiring businesses is not just about financial gains, but also personal growth and development and developing emotional intelligence. 01:45 The Importance of Implementation and Future Goals 04:16 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome 05:31 The Power of Taking Action and Building Momentum 06:13 Personal Stories and Insights from Attendees 07:22 The Journey of Buying and Selling Businesses 14:44 The Emotional Aspect of Business Deals 16:36 Advice for People with Traditional Jobs Looking to Buy Businesses 17:19 Closing Remarks and Contact Information for UK Lawyer Resources Buying a business is only the start, which is why we are now teaching what happens next on the Mastermind program. Now, if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on hello@thedealmakersacademy.com for more information.  If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at johnandrews.deallawyer@jmw.co.uk. If you would like to take the next step to learn the best ways of buying a business, without risking your own cash, you can access my free training at: www.dealmakerspodcast.co.uk Watch my Webinar Training Video: https://www.dealmakerspodcast.co.uk You can also request a free copy of my book at: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/free-book-giveaway/ If you want to jump straight to my live Zoom FastTrack course, please go to: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/fast  Connect with Jonathan Jay at: Website: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-jay-3556b230/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDealmakersAcademy

How to grow a business through acquisition  In this week’s episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan speaks with BBC Apprentice winner and founder of the Millionaire Mastermind, Joseph Valente about the opportunity for business owners to rapidly double the size of their business through acquisition. In conversation in front of a room of ambitious entrepreneurs, Jonathan explained why 2024 is a year of opportunity for those business owners who want to grow, why it is better to buy a big business for your first deal and how to avoid the pitfalls experienced by many first-time dealmakers. If you’re a business owner and you’re frustrated or impatient for growth, you need to listen to this episode. Here are the key highlights: 00:51 - Jonathan’s accidental entry into the world of mergers and acquisitions 01:22 - How Jonathan had an epiphany when he sold his first business 02:14 - Why being the operator in a business is not the best way to get the result you want 02:27 - How to get a great deal when buying a competitor business 04:13 - Why you should never cut corners on your deal team (easily avoidable legal and due diligence issues are so much more expensive in the long run) 04:29 - Why the “Buy, Build and Sell” strategy is the fastest way to achieve your financial goals 04:47 How just one successful deal can transform your business – and your life 05:16 The 3 keep questions to ask when assessing any business acquisition 05:50 The benefits of buying a business similar to your current business 06:38 Why it is important you only buy businesses that can run without you (otherwise you’re buying an expensive job) 07:06 Why you need to follow a business buying strategy that doesn’t use any of your own funds 07:34 How our Mastermind clients have successfully purchased businesses using none of their own money 09:50 Why you need to have a good lawyer to keep a business buying deal moving 10:29 Jonathan’s top advice for anyone looking to start acquiring businesses 19:16 Why you must always be through in your due diligence when buying a business  30:54 Why it’s a good strategy to keep the previous owner on-side (it can get really messy if you don’t) 33:30 How Jonathan helps business owners to acquire the right businesses to grow Here is what you will discover… Why it is better to buy a £2.5m business for your first deal rather than a £250k business (as one of my Mastermind clients did) How to quickly assess whether a deal is worth pursuing by asking 3 key questions How to use the tactics of experienced M&A dealmakers to close your own acquisitions using none of your own funds Why your mindset is the biggest obstacle to acquiring a business (regardless of whether you’re experienced in business or completely new to it) The biggest mistakes made by first-time business buyers and how to avoid them (there are two that could prove fatal if you’re not ready) How the owner of the business can be your best source of deal financing How to fund your deal through the existing owner of a business Why you don’t need to worry about your personal credit rating or need to have available funds to buy your first business Why future dealmakers need to be ready ahead of January 2024 if they want to secure the best deals available Why you need to discover the seller’s “real” motivation for selling (and it’s usually nothing to do with money) ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at johnandrews.deallawyer@jmw.co.uk. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Watch my FREE Dealmakers webinar training: https://www.dealmakerspodcast.com Get a FREE copy of my book: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/free-book-giveaway Join the Business Acquisition FastTrack course https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/quick Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria at hello@thedealmakersacademy.com for more information.

I waited too long to get started… but then I bought a £2.5m business In this latest episode of Business Buying Strategies, we visit a Mastermind client, Carsten, at the £2.5m revenue tree surgery business he recently purchased. By his own admission, Carsten was a little slow getting out the blocks, as he previously believed he needed funds to acquire a business. He joined our FastTrack programme and saw other dealmakers buying profitable, established businesses with no money down. After joining Mastermind, Carsten followed our business buying system and took six months to buy his first business. In the episode, we go behind the scenes with Carsten to discover how the deal was put together and the reality of owning rather than operating a business. Here are the key highlights: 00:00 – Why he chose to buy a £2.5m business as his first acquisition 00:00 – What held Carsten back from getting started earlier 00:00 – How Carsten runs the business in just a few hours each week from his home 00:00 – How Mastermind helped Carsten learn what he needed to close his first deal 00:00 – How Carsten took six months to complete the purchase 00:00 – How he creates systems to conclude deals more efficiently 00:00 – What Carsten is focusing on next Here is what you will discover… Why buying a bigger business with a management team is always better than a small business  How to avoid getting stuck in the day-to-day running of the business How to avoid wasting time and money during the deal sourcing process by having a system in place Why a network of experience dealmakers is essential to saving time and money on any business acquisition Why you need to get started learning business buying now – even if you think it's too soon How to avoid wasting time and money during the deal sourcing process by having a system in place Why a network of experience dealmakers is essential to saving time and money on any business acquisition ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at johnandrews.deallawyer@jmw.co.uk. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Watch my FREE Dealmakers webinar training: https://www.dealmakerspodcast.com Get a FREE copy of my book: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/free-book-giveaway Join the Business Acquisition FastTrack course https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/quick Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on hello@thedealmakersacademy.com for more information.

Did you know there is a government-backed lending scheme in the US that allows you to borrow up to 100% of the cost of acquiring a business? In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan talks to Ray Drew from Fund-Ex Solutions and an expert in SBA lending about the scheme and how it has become a useful way of buying a business without using any of your own money. During the interview, Jonathan and Ray discuss how SBA lending works, why it was set up by the government, the various options available and how to apply. If you’re a listener in the US and are not aware of this scheme, you need to listen to this episode.  Even if you’re not US-based, it is worth listening as Ray reveals why the trend of Baby Boomers retiring and selling their businesses presents one of the biggest opportunities in a generation for people looking to acquire a business.  Here are the key highlights: 01:18 - How Ray became an expert in SBA loans and how the landscape has changed in the last few years 01:54 - Why SBA lending was developed and how it is currently being used  02:52 - How SBA 7(a) funding works 04:26 - How to apply for SBA funding  05:02 - Why business experience isn’t essential for a loan (and what other experience and factors will help) 07:15 - What options are available for raising a deposit 10:36 - The role of the seller during the process and how SBA lending benefits them 13:30 - Key conditions around the loan terms and conditions you need to know 17:40 - The importance of negotiating working capital for the acquired business 21:24 - Applicant and business eligibility for secure borrowing 25:52 - How to get Ray’s help when seeking an SBA loan Here is what you will discover… Why SBA 7(a) programme is “like a Swiss Army knife” of lending for small businesses in the US How the “Silver Tsunami” of retiring Baby Boomer business owners will create an incredible opportunity for business buyers in the next 12 months Why business acquisitions now make up 80% of Ray’s funding activity (a huge increase on previous years) How much loan-to-value you can expect using SBA funding and the maximum financing level available Why the SBA programme has created an exciting opportunity to build wealth for individuals who traditionally would not have considered buying a business How a buyer can access up to 100% deal financing by demonstrating strong sector experience or transferable skills How buyers are protected through government-mandated interest rates (you never pay about a certain fixed interest rate for your lending) Who is eligible for SBA 7(a) funding and what businesses are specifically excluded Notable quotes “The business plan is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s what you would call a full doc program, but the business plan doesn’t have to be too crazy because it’s for an existing business.” “We look for relevant experience. Most of all, we look for management experience. Experience managing people, managing a budget, managing a P&L, things like that are going to transfer over to just about any business.” “So a credible buyer for that type of business really has the potential to buy or pay up to $5 million for a business.” Episode links Fund-Ex Solutions: https://fundexsolutions.com Ray’s contact details: https://fundexsolutions.com/bios/ray-drew Ray’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raydrew4589 Ray’s Email: Rdrew@fundexsolutions.com   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at johnandrews.deallawyer@jmw.co.uk. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Watch my FREE Dealmakers webinar training: https://www.dealmakerspodcast.com Get a FREE copy of my book: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/free-book-giveaway Join the Business Acquisition FastTrack course https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/quick Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria at hello@thedealmakersacademy.com for more information.

Join James Gardner, who navigated the challenges of acquiring a family-run funeral business during COVID, and Dan Bown, who shares insights on his first eight-figure deal in plant hire. Akram Abdullah reveals master negotiation techniques that slashed a cleaning business's price from £180,000 to £25,000. Nick Manuel discusses strategic acquisitions in the balloon printing sector, focusing on lead generation and cross-selling. This conversation is packed with innovative approaches to business acquisitions without dipping into personal funds.

In the latest episode of Business Buying Strategies, we speak with serial business buying entrepreneur Darren Jacobs who has bought 35 business in the last three years. Despite the rapid growth of his business, Darren does not spend any time working in the businesses he acquires. He leaves it to his management team, freeing him up to work on his growth strategy which is – buying more businesses. In this episode, he reveals why he first chose hair salons as a target for his acquisitions, how he closed so many deals so quickly and how his group head office operates to allow him the time and space to grow the business. Darren also reveals his future growth plans and why he has expanded the business through acquisition to include marketing and food. Here are the key highlights: 01:24 – Darren explains his business buying journey so far 02:20 – How a surprising offer to buy a coffee van led to Darren’s first catering acquisitions 04:28 – How Darren’s IT background and attempts to grow his business have shaped his acquisition strategy 05:21 – How Darren identified and sourced his first acquisition deal for a salon 07:35 – Why hair salons became a target for Darren’s acquisition strategy 11:45 – What motivates a salon owner to sell? (Hint: the answer isn’t always money…) 18:36 – How Darren built his management team and how his group head office runs the business 20:12 – Why Darren has started making acquisitions in a different sector 23:46 – What does the future hold for Darren in 2024? 31:05 – Darren answers common questions levelled at business buyers In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, you will discover… How Darren used the (true) story of searching for a hair salon for his step daughter proved deal sourcing gold What he learnt from the first acquisition for his step daughter that convinced him to forge ahead with building a hair salon group Why understanding the buyer’s motivation for selling is key to a great deal Why every deal except one were for businesses that were not listed for sale How the group head office is set up to manage the 120+ staff across the group without any involvement from Darren How Darren leveraged government funding to complete multiple “no money down”deals Why Darren has broken the mould when buying smaller businesses, i.e. hair salons How he is able to take months off and only needs to turn up at board meetings every month The exact number of deal sourcing letters Darren sent out to generate 300 enquiries and complete 21 deals (this number will shock you) How only two out of his 35 acquisition have required Darren to use his own money (it was just over £10k and he made it back within weeks of closing the deal)  Why money is not the most important factor for many business owners who are motivated by others factors Why Darren has acquired two marketing agencies and a printing firm to support the group How he successfully saved £110,000 on a deal for a sandwich van business turning over £250,000/year Why his experience in business acquisition allows Darren to ‘flex’ the rules  Memorable quotes from the episode “I've not met any business owner that is not optimistic about next year.” “The most powerful thing you can ever do in any negotiation is know that you can walk away and say no and mean it.” “When I look at a business, if it creates any kind of job or responsibility for me then I’m not interested, no matter how good the deal is.” ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at johnandrews.deallawyer@jmw.co.uk. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Watch my FREE Dealmakers webinar training: https://www.dealmakerspodcast.com Get a FREE copy of my book: https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/free-book-giveaway Join the Business Acquisition FastTrack course https://www.thedealmakersacademy.com/quick Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on hello@thedealmakersacademy.com for more information.

Dan Bown, a Mastermind client of Jonathan Jay, recently completed his first eight-figure acquisition in the plant hire sector. In this engaging discussion, he shares his journey from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges of negotiating and securing financing. Dan reveals pivotal moments in his acquisition process, including overcoming setbacks and striking essential deals. He also discusses the importance of operational efficiency, strategic growth through further acquisitions, and preparing for future business sales.