Business Buying Academy

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

Esteban Reyes, an accomplished entrepreneur and VC investor at Zenda Capital, shares his journey of building and selling three companies. He discusses his innovative fraud detection software that served over 400 banks and how a lack of knowledge about venture capital never hindered his success. Esteban offers insights into buying and managing schools, emphasizing the importance of community identity and strategic due diligence. He also highlights the game-changing role of AI in investment strategies and operational efficiency across various sectors.

Rafael Quinn, co-founder of Alternative Holdings, shares his fascinating journey of accidentally starting a holding company nearly 15 years ago. He discusses the initial challenges of acquiring his first company and how he expanded his portfolio to nine diverse businesses. Rafael reveals his strategies for acquiring companies across various industries, including restaurants and plumbing. He emphasizes the importance of cash flow, strong relationships with sellers, and the nuances of capital management in scaling success.

Join Moses Kagan, a savvy real estate investor in Los Angeles managing hundreds of millions, as he shares his journey from a challenging first deal to insights on finding tenants. He dives into the math of acquisitions and the delicate balance between using personal vs. others' capital. Moses also offers lessons learned from family influences in real estate, discusses the hurdles posed by high interest rates, and critiques urban parking regulations, advocating for better city designs. His stories provide a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of real estate investment.