Business Buying Academy

Patrick Dichter, owner of Appletree Business Services, shares his remarkable journey of acquiring an accounting firm for $1.3 million and growing it 3.5x. He discusses his strategies for successfully navigating both acquisitions and organic growth, revealing the fine balance between expanding through new purchases and leveraging revenue. Patrick also dives into the vital processes of evaluating the quality of earnings in potential buys, warns about pitfalls in financial assessments, and highlights the importance of mentorship in the challenging post-acquisition landscape.

Jeffrey Jaeger, co-founder of Standard Communities, shares insights from managing a $5 billion portfolio of affordable housing. He discusses his shift from retail to real estate, revealing how he identified a niche in apartment investments. Jaeger provides tips on analyzing and managing properties, the importance of teamwork, and handling partnerships. He also touches on leveraging AI for efficient data management and navigating public-private partnerships in low-income housing. A must-listen for aspiring real estate investors!

Logan Leslie, CEO of Northern Rock, oversees dozens of automotive shops in the Southeast, boasting over $150 million in annual revenue. He discusses the motivation behind starting a holding company and shares valuable insights from his first acquisition. Listeners will learn about funding strategies for deals, the impact of retaining previous owners, and the significance of adapting a cohesive company culture post-acquisition. Additionally, Logan speaks on the operational efficiencies achieved through consolidation and the importance of maintaining a community-focused brand.

Bryan Rand, CEO of Rand & Co, oversees nine platform businesses generating $400 million annually. He shares his thrilling journey from buying a cigar lounge in Atlanta to launching a successful fuel delivery company. Bryan emphasizes the importance of teaching entrepreneurship to his kids and balancing family life with business. He reveals strategic insights on acquiring legacy businesses and the benefits of majority stakes, while also providing valuable advice for aspiring buyers on navigating the complexities of business acquisitions.

In this engaging discussion, Aaron Harper, CEO of Rolling Suds Power Washing, reveals how he grew a small local business into a 77-location franchise marvel. He emphasizes the end of the home service wave and the untapped potential in commercial services, like washing stadiums. Harper shares insightful strategies on franchising, the importance of building community relationships, and why businesses should pivot towards these 'boring' yet lucrative opportunities. Tune in to discover how to attract franchisees and thrive in the evolving landscape!

In this discussion, Dave Gilbert, a seasoned holding company operator with a tech background, shares insights from acquiring an accounting service for $3.8 million and an engineering firm. He reveals the legal complexities of buying an accounting business, particularly for non-accountants, and how he successfully expanded services despite early challenges. Dave emphasizes the importance of structuring deals effectively and building trustworthy partnerships, all while navigating post-acquisition dynamics and driving business growth in challenging economic times.

Gary Hoover, an expert in American business history and founder of Bookstop, shares his extensive knowledge gleaned from studying over 70,000 books. He discusses the evolution of retail, the impact of iconic leaders like Sam Walton, and the importance of customer engagement. Hoover also reflects on the challenges faced by beloved brands and the lessons learned from business history. With anecdotes from his own ventures, including his experience in book retailing, he emphasizes the value of understanding past business practices for future success.

Brian Wolfe, an M&A expert and former big law firm partner, shares his wealth of knowledge about entrepreneurship through acquisition. He discusses his transition from law to investing, emphasizing the power of multiple expansion in buying smaller companies. Wolfe dives into rolling up marketing SaaS businesses, the role of seller financing, and the complexities of earnouts in M&A. He also provides insights on strategic growth and offers valuable lessons on personal guarantees, showcasing how mentorship can guide first-time buyers.

I chatted with Jeremy Yamaguchi, an entrepreneur who's built many empires in home services: with home cleaning first, then lawncare, and now pool services. We talk about the economics of the home service business models he's worked in, how he acquires pool service companies, and how he's scaled to over $100 million in GMV. Watch this video if you want to build a home service empire. And if you're selling a pool company, contact Jeremy through his website cabanapools.com 0:35 Why Jeremy loves home service businesses4:35 Growing the lawn care marketplace7:40 How to grow home service businesses16:54 AI in home services18:31 Buying pool companies23:50 Different home service verticals28:02 Raising VC money31:49 How much is a pool business worth?Connect with Sieva:X: https://x.com/sievakozinskyNewsletter: https://sievakozinsky.comConnect with Jeremy:X: https://x.com/jeremyyamaguchiWebsite:  https://cabanapools.com -Want to hire top global talent? Get started with Somewhere (I'm a customer & investor) - https://hirewith.somewhere.com/sieva

Today I sit down with Chris Edwards, who bought a flooring business in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He bought the business for $1.7 million, grew revenue by 50%, and doubled SDE (seller discretionary earnings). He then exited the business after about 3 years, earning himself a 24X return on his invested capital (most of the deal was financed with SBA debt, so he was able to make a large return on his down payment).Highlights:5:19 Getting into ETA7:17 Chris' search criteria9:54 How long did the search take?13:56 Process of buying the business17:04 Structure of the deal20:21 How he improved the business22:50 First 6 months was a knife fight27:30 Why deals go bad34:15 Exiting the businessConnect with Sieva:X: https://x.com/sievakozinskyLinkedIn:   / skozinsky  Newsletter: https://sievakozinsky.comConnect with Chris:X: https://x.com/toph_edwardsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-edwards-44664052