Business Buying Academy

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.

Craig Fuller, a logistics entrepreneur and owner of various media properties, shares his unique approach to acquiring media businesses, including the renowned 'Flying Magazine.' He discusses innovative financing strategies that avoid traditional venture capital, emphasizing the importance of community engagement. Craig also reveals his ambitious plans for a fly-in/fly-out resort in Tennessee and reflects on a partnership that didn't pan out with Kim Kardashian. Tune in to uncover the secrets behind his success in transforming traditional media into a thriving business.

Mike Beckham built Simple Modern into a $200 million/year e-commerce brand. I chat with him about how he got started, another business ventures he had (including talking his brother out of buying $1 million of Bitcoin in 2012).Mike teaches entrepreneurship and business to students and others, so watch this entire episode if you want to start a business. Mike will show you the way!0:00 Intro5:17 How did Mike become an entrepreneur?9:10 Mike's entrepreneurship lessons18:22 Entrepreneurial parenting22:31 How to start a business25:48 His brother's auction website ($1 billion in sales)32:38 Almost inventing Candy Crush35:15 Amazon suspending his account42:06 How Simple Modern changed over the last 4 years43:58 Treating employees well59:04 Who does Mike look up to?👉 Connect with SievaWebsite: www.sievakozinsky.comX: twitter.com/SievaKozinskyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/skozinsky/Substack: www.thebusinessacademy.substack.com/👉 Connect with MikeX: https://x.com/mikebeckhamsmCompany: https://www.simplemodern.com/

Khai Nguyen, founder of Powers Gymnastics and a savvy investor, shares his transformative journey from homelessness to owning over 20 businesses. He discusses early struggles on Wall Street, the importance of building rapport with fellow business owners, and innovations like the Ninja Warrior program. Khai candidly reveals the ups and downs of the gymnastics industry, emphasizing strategic growth and community engagement. His resilience and insights offer a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship and the potential of youth sports.

Ankur Nagpal, founder of Teachable, sold his ed-tech company for $250 million and now focuses on tax optimization strategies through his new venture, Carry.com. He reveals the art of knowing when to sell and navigates the complexities of acquisitions. Ankur shares insights on tax loopholes, investment strategies, and how to structure businesses for maximum benefits. He emphasizes the importance of a dedicated team and innovative marketing while reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey and financial platforms tailored for small business owners.

David Rodnitzky, a serial entrepreneur known for his successful marketing agency, shares his incredible journey of selling his agency for $65 million and reacquiring it for just $5 million. He delves into the nuances of agency valuation, revealing how much one can sell an agency for and the importance of profitability. David discusses the significant price hikes he implemented, from $5k to $25k monthly, and the strategies he used to scale. He emphasizes the critical role of mentorship in navigating business growth and the importance of focusing on operational efficiency.

Jameson Haslam, a former private equity professional, discusses his surprising leap into the deck building industry in San Diego, where he now generates $1.5 million annually. He shares how he secured his first project before even launching his business and the challenges of navigating competitive markets. Jameson reveals his innovative team structure, leveraging bilingual talent to cut costs, and emphasizes the significance of social media—particularly Instagram—in building trust and generating high-ticket sales.

In today’s episode Boring Businesses, I’m joined by Josh York, founder and CEO of GymGuyz, the largest in-home and on-site personal training company in the world.Josh’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to relentless grit, vision, and an unwavering commitment to innovation. He offers insights into leadership, scaling a franchise, and maintaining a strong company culture, all while motivating others to push past limits—both in fitness and life.Timestamps:00:00 Trailer00:31 Creating a culture with fuel and drive04:21 Sending a tire to Nike founder Phil Knight08:31 Building resilience10.41 Getting obsessed with competition17:24 Negative experiences fuel career change19:53 Creating career paths for personal trainers to succeed27:35 Scaling a fitness franchise32:49 Core requirements of success37:15 Learning from our mistakes40:26 Owning multiple locations46:16 Company culture, being present, and balance54:25 Leading by example👉 Connect with SievaWebsite: www.sievakozinsky.comX: twitter.com/SievaKozinskyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/skozinsky/Substack: www.thebusinessacademy.substack.com/ 👉 Connect with JoshX: https://x.com/joshyorkggInstagram: www.instagram.com/joshyorkgg/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joshyorkgymguyz/If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a review to support the show. 🙏