Inspired Or Acquired

Pest control companies sell for some of the highest multiples of any services businesses - this podcast uncovers why. Patrick Dichter and Clint Fiore interview Casey McDaniel, the co-founder of King Pest Solutions. We discuss Casey's journey of scaling to +$2M within 3 years, what the business might sell for today, and Casey's exit number he'd be happy to 'retire' with. Casey also details the ups and downs of a recent tuck in acquisition and how they think about organic growth vs buying more pest control companies. Casey McDaniel on X: https://x.com/pestctrlguyKing Pest Solutions: https://www.kingpests.com/Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspiredClint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/

Mark and Katie Fleming from Owner Actions have one of the most interesting business models we've heard from guests. They've taken experience in wealth management and marketing to owning a diverse portfolio of businesses that includes cleaning companies, restaurants, and HVAC. Katie and Mark take % of ownership to help with finding deals, diligence, advising, and post close accounting and marketing. We discuss the challenges and rewards of their unique "for equity" model, the importance of finding the right partners, and how they leverage platforms like TikTok to connect with potential partners.Owner Actions: https://owneractions.com/Owner Action on TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@owneractions Katie Fleming on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemfleming/  Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspiredClint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/

A special 'behind the scenes' episode where we break down how businesses get valued, what it's like to list them for sale, and pointers for sellers to get a deal done. Clint and Patrick discuss the importance of qualifying a business for sale, understanding seller's discretionary earnings (SDE), and determining an appropriate asking price. The conversation also covers the listing process, evaluating offers, and the significance of maintaining strong relationships with potential buyers. We also highlight best practices for sellers, the challenges of the closing process, and the financial implications of legal and broker fees. Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspiredClint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/

Brandon Hall is one of the most impressive accounting firm growth stories we've known. He started Hall CPA PLLC in 2015 and has grown it organically to +$14.5M revenue and 150 team members. We discuss what would tempt him to sell the firm, AI impacting margins, if exit multiples in accounting will go up or down, traditional partnership structures in accounting vs PE exits, and more. Brandon Hall on X: https://x.com/bhallcpaHall CPA: https://www.therealestatecpa.com/Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspiredClint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/

Alex Nelson is an impressive entrepreneur in Iowa who built a wedding venue from scratch to $4M revenue within a few years. He also recently bought a chain of coffee shops then renovated and rebranded. We discuss what each business might sell for today, which one Alex might sell, and his long term goals. It's a great discussion on buy vs build, real estate heavy businesses, and compounding. Alex Nelson on X: https://x.com/WeddingVenueGuyThe Midnight Gem: https://themidnightgem.com/Midnight Coffee: https://www.midnight-coffee.com/Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspiredClint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/

Kyle Ewing is the founder of Terraslate, which manufactures and prints waterproof, and rip-proof paper designed to replace traditional lamination. Kyle shares how he scaled the business to over $10M in annual revenue while maintaining 100% ownership and fending off overseas knockoffs. We discuss the business valuation and if he would sell or not. Kyle Ewing on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleewing/Ideas To Empires newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/ideas-to-empires-7295591098423357440/Eversite - show sponsor & digital marketing: Eversite.com/inspiredClint Fiore & Dealonmy: https://www.dealonomy.com/Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/

Brett McManus, owner of a motel and hotel in Killington, Vermont, shares his inspiring journey of renovating a dilapidated motel with his wife, Casey. They dive into the highs and lows of their renovations, the impressive value increase in just one year, and their ambitions to acquire another hotel. Brett discusses their tech startup, aimed at supporting independent hospitality businesses, while exploring the benefits of using SBA loans to finance such ventures. Their story offers a fresh, behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of the hospitality industry.

Cassi Niekamp, owner of Bowden Fence Company in Columbus, Ohio, is a former corporate sales professional who transformed her company after acquiring it four years ago. She shares her journey of growing revenue from $700,000 to $3.3 million and the stress that comes with rapid growth. Cassi discusses the challenges of balancing profitability with expansion, the complexities of navigating debt and asset appreciation, and the importance of a strong team in transitioning to commercial markets. Her passion for fencing and dedication to improving business structure shines through as she looks towards the future.

Daniel Magazu's first entrepreneurial venture was a landscaping and mulch business he started during college. With the mulch business he cracked the code on Facebook group marketing, and has since gone all in on scaling his marketing agency business, Ride The Wave. It's growing very quickly and has 96% retention rate. We discuss what the mulch business might sell for today, what the agency might sell for, and Daniel's long term goals. Daniel Magazu on X: https://x.com/DannyMagazuRide The Wave: https://ridethewave.info/Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://dealonomy.com/Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/

Christian Kobes is quickly scaling 19:21 Consultants Co, an independent health insurance and employee benefits firm. They've found their niche providing better, modern service to clients with +50 employees. Christian expects revenue to nearly double again this year. We discuss the M&A landscape in health insurance, what their company might be worth today, and if they'd sell soon. Christian Kobes on X: https://x.com/christian_kobes19:21 Consultants: https://www.1921consultants.com/Clint Fiore & Dealonomy: https://www.dealonomy.com/Patrick Dichter & Appletree: https://appletreebusiness.com/