Think Big, Buy Small

Jackie Kopcho, CEO of Tortorella Swimming Pools, shares her inspiring journey from working in her family’s pizzeria to becoming a savvy entrepreneur in the pool maintenance industry. She dives into her strategic criteria for choosing an acquisition, prioritizing recurring revenue and customer loyalty. Jackie sheds light on the unique challenges of managing a seasonal business, from workforce dynamics to maintaining high service standards. She also emphasizes the value of women in entrepreneurship and how effective leadership can empower teams and drive growth.

Business school graduates Ari and Allan discuss the choice between buying a business or working for someone else post-MBA. They compare leadership, risk, and career aspirations, as well as funding options and geographic preferences. Insights into self-funding challenges, autonomy in entrepreneurship, and the CEO role are shared, highlighting the benefits of owning a business and navigating the decision-making process.

In this episode, Daniella Bertolotti and Steve Goulas discuss the more traditional startup route versus entrepreneurship through acquisition. Just weeks ahead of their graduation from business school, and thinking about what’s next, both are looking for control over their professional lives, want to be in a position where they make decisions that matter, and value rewards being closely tied to the work that they do.  We learn that those who lean more towards founding their own company often have a very specific passion for one industry and a commitment to one location, while people who decide to walk the path of an acquisition entrepreneur are often more focused on the nuts and bolts of managing a business. As you’ll hear, though entrepreneurship through acquisition isn’t for everyone, it is a path that every would-be entrepreneur should consider.

Geoff Duckworth shares his self-funded journey from searcher to seller, discussing why he chose entrepreneurship, how he acquired and financed a business, and the challenges and insights of business ownership. Topics include equipment maintenance, product quality, transitioning to seller, and navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.

Ten years ago, Robin Kovitz became President & CEO of Baskits, now one of Canada’s leading gift services companies, by purchasing the company from its two retiring founders.  Baskits was an acquisition that had many of the qualities that lead to success for first-time CEOs, including recurring customers and a record showing years of profitable operations.  It was also, however, a seasonal business, which is a potential red flag for Rick and Royce.  In this episode, Robin shares insights on why she decided to become an acquisition entrepreneur, the impact of her “being passionate about the business” investment criteria on her geographically focused and self-funded search, her perceptions of risk, the effects of searching on family life, why she loves her role at Baskits, and more.

Are you looking for an alternative to a career path at a big firm? Does founding your own startup seem too risky? There's another compelling path open to you: acquiring a small business and running it as CEO. Co-hosted by Harvard Business School professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff, the show is an extension of their popular course, Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition, and their highly regarded book, HBR Guide To Buying A Small Business.  Think Big, Buy Small helps listeners to determine if entrepreneurship through acquisition is for them and, if it is, provides insights and guidance on the different milestones along the journey to acquiring an enduringly profitable small business.