Acquiring Minds
Episodes
How to Buy a Business Using Tactics from B2B Tech Sales
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
George Vallone unpacks how he used cold outreach to find an off-market cleaning biz doing $1m and buy it for 2x EBITDA. Themes from George’s interv...
Transatlantic Search for a $1m+ EBITDA Business
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Before embarking on his search, Alex Glasner interviewed 50 searchers & uncovered 2 key attitudes necessary for success. Themes from Alex’s int...
Buying a 20-Year-Old Online Business
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Looking to buy a part-time online biz as he neared retirement, Dave Bramlett found it in a resume service doing $1.5m. Themes from Dave's interview:M...
6 Months in the Truck: Buying an Ice Delivery Biz
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Brandon Adams bought a $850k EBITDA ice delivery company only to discover he'd be doing deliveries himself for 6 months. Themes from Brandon's interv...
Nailing the Trifecta: B2B + Remote + Scalable
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Damon Chlarson had 3 key criteria, and he found them in an insulation supplier doing $380k EBITDA and selling for $1.1m. Themes from Damon’s interv...
Overcoming a Career Rut by Buying a Business
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Frustrated after losing 3 jobs, Bruce Vann used savings to acquire a 25-employee, 7-figure curtain manufacturer for 2x. Themes from Bruce’s intervi...
Building a Blue Collar Empire
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After seeing 9-figure businesses built through acquisition, Adrian Pinto bought a landscaping biz to build one himself. Themes from Adrian’s interv...
7 Years Later: Leaving Wall Street to Buy Small Businesses
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The 3 founders of Chenmark left promising corporate careers to pursue a multi-decade path of acquiring small businesses. Themes from the interview wi...
How to Build a Holdco (4 Acquisitions So Far)
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With 4 acquisitions since starting in 2018, Justin Turner explains how his team is building a permanent equity holdco. Themes from Justin’s intervi...
Buying a Business & Having a Blast
18 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
@Fundof1 was searching for a business in a tight geography, and found a great fit in a $760k appliance repair company. Themes from John’s interview...
Buying a Manufacturer with 1 Good Employee & 2000 SKUs
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Knowing zero about manufacturing, Josh Paulson found purpose when he bought a small & struggling producer of pet cages. Themes from Josh's interv...
The Key to a Profitable Liquor Store
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Devin Wanzor went from a corporate gig with 50 employees to buying a $3M liquor store and playing golf 3 times a week. Themes from Devin's interview:...
It's All Your Fault: How to Become CEO of Your Acquisition
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Curry bought a business only to struggle for years as its new CEO. He shares the lessons that unlocked 2x growth. Themes from Mike’s interview...
A Cautionary Tale of Buying Too Small
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
JD Klein bought a print shop for $100k, thinking such a small acquisition carried little risk. The opposite was true. Themes from JD's interview:Runn...
Choosing Laundromats over Real Estate
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Geoff Oliver bought 2 laundromats in rural Texas. He shares his numbers & what to consider when acquiring a laundromat. Themes from Geoff's inter...
5 Takeaways from Harvard's ETA Conference
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Harvard's acquisition entrepreneurship conference took place last week. Organizer Michael Ledecky shares 5 takeaways. Themes from Michael's interview...
Lessons from 14 Years in Search
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Having searched, acquired, and exited a business himself starting back in 2007, today Mark Sinatra invests in searchers. Themes from Mark's interview...
What to Acquire: 3 Hot Sectors for Business Buyers
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Casey Clark talks hot industries, identifying growth potential in a business for sale, and avoiding common SMB pitfalls. Themes from Casey's intervie...
Buying the Family Business & Growing 4x During COVID
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Resisting at first, Mark Litton eventually realized that buying the family biz was the perfect path to entrepreneurship. Themes from Mark's interview...
How to Hire an Attorney for Your Acquisition
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to find a lawyer for your deal, how much you'll spend, what to look for, and how to avoid suing the seller. Themes from the interview with ...
Buying a Therapy Practice & Selling for Millions
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A husband & wife bought a therapy practice for $120k, almost dumped it, then grew it for 8 years when PE came knocking. Themes from Neil's interv...
The Argument for Self-Funded Search
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jordan Carter & Robert Graham argue for self-funded search over traditional search funds or the "buy small" approach.Themes from the interview wit...
How to Buy a Salon as an Industry Outsider (and Survive)
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Romer bought a large but tired hair salon in Austin for $80k. Her first year as owner was the hardest of her life.Themes from Sarah's interview:...
Starter Acquisition: Buying a $25k Business
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Neil Granberry bought a bubble ball business to prove himself as an entrepreneur while pursuing an MBA at the same time.Themes from Neil’s interview...
Stay Open to the Many Flavors of Search
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Thanks to changing his search from traditional to self-funded, Chris Williams bought a $1m EBITDA bookkeeping business.Themes from Chris's interview:T...
From Search Misery to Successful CEO
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Divitkos shares tips from his acquisition, from the solitude of search to the delicate balance of being a new CEO.Themes from Steve's interview:...
Buying a 45 Year Old Software Business
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A podcast exposed Jason Budd to buying businesses. After 10 years in corporate, he'd found his path to entrepreneurship.Themes from Jason's interview:...
How to Buy Landscaping Businesses
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Closing on his 2nd acquisition in 10 months, Mike Botkin just became Central Florida's largest landscaping business.Themes from Mike's interview:Acqui...
Anatomy of a Search: 40 Interns, 25 Months, 20 Offers
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica Markowitz used a traditional search fund to search for & ultimately buy a great business. But the road was long.Themes from Jessica's inte...
How to Choose Your Lender When Buying a Business
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There are many lenders out there eager to finance your acquisition. SBA loan expert Lisa Forrest explains how to choose.Themes from Lisa's interview:W...
The Poetry of Buying a Blue Collar Business
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Shannon Jones explains how acquisition entrepreneurs should navigate the realities of buying a blue collar business.Themes from Shannon's interview:Ki...
What You Don’t Understand About Buying a Small Business
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Due diligence expert Elliott Holland shares the top things he wishes he’d known when he first started buying businesses.Themes from Elliott's interv...
6 Ways Buying a Business Has Changed Since 2016
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nick Haschka shares what's changed in the market since acquiring his first small business in 2016. (Hint: it’s harder.)Themes from Nick's interview:...
How to Buy a Medical Billing Business
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Less than a year after acquiring a $1m medical billing business, Curt Neider is already looking for his second deal.Themes from Curt's interview:Buyin...
Investing Like an 1880s Businessman
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Key lessons for acquisition entrepreneurs from Andrew Finn, who has grown a service business & acquired SaaS businesses.Themes from Andrew's inter...
Using Investors to Buy a Business with SBA
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't have the 10-20% cash to buy a business with SBA? Search investor Steve Ressler explains how to attract investors & structure the deal.Themes...
Growing a Flippa Business to $2 Million
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sales had dropped to zero when Martin Bispels acquired Upper Park Disc Golf. A year later, they are nearing $2 million.Themes from Martin's interview:...
How to Build a Portfolio of Micro SaaS Businesses
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hard-won lessons about buying micro SaaS businesses from Andrew Pierno, who has acquired 3 and plans to buy many more.Themes from Andrew's interview:B...
Making a Career of Buying Businesses
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pete Seligman stepped off a comfortable corporate path to buy a small business in 2013. He's since acquired 4 more.Themes from Pete's interview:Why Pe...
Buying a $1m Coffee Biz After Years of Starting from Scratch
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After years of struggling to launch products from scratch, Casey Allen pivoted to buy a $1.7m coffee supplies business.Themes from Casey's interview:S...
Top 3 Pitfalls When Buying an Online Business
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Due diligence pro Ahmed Raza on the 3 key things to evaluate when buying a business in e-commerce, SaaS, or content.Themes from Ahmed's interview: 3 ...
Why Plumbing Companies Make Awesome Acquisitions
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Charles Barr just acquired DiMartino Plumbing. He considered HVAC & electrical as well but plumbing was the sweet spot.Themes from Charles’ inte...
Buying an Online Side Hustle (for Less than $5k)
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Vivian Chen bought an abandoned online business for almost nothing, then grew it to $5k/mo — while keeping her day job.Themes from Vivian’s episod...
How to Survive Acquiring a $3.5m Flooring Business
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Edwards' first 6 months as new owner has been a “bloody knife fight.” But things are looking up, with the business projected to profit $750k...
Acquiring an $8m Distressed E-Commerce Biz
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brute Force thrived during COVID, but 2021 hit hard. Sales plunged 60% in one month. Mike Brown bought it to fix it.Themes from Mike’s interview: W...
Buying a $1.2m Fencing Business & Earning Trust Quickly
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cassi Niekamp didn't know anything about fencing when she acquired Bowden Fence. But she turned this to her advantage.Themes from Cassi’s interview:...
Making $100k/mo by Buying Websites
10 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Gardon bought websites to be his own boss. His best acquisition does $100k/mo — and he bought it for 5 figures.Themes from Mike’s interview:W...
Buy an E-Commerce Business: Tips from an Aggregator
05 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
5 tactics to boost sales of acquired e-commerce businesses — and other insights from e-commerce aggregator TCM Digital.Key themes from Golan's inter...
€5m a Year by Acquiring Translation Agencies
03 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How an outsider started with little money and bought 12 translation agencies in 6 years, aiming to reach €5m in revenue.Key themes from Cédric's in...
How to Build an E-Commerce Acquisition Company
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With 6 e-commerce acquisitions and counting, Kelcey Lehrich has built 365 Holdings rapidly over the last 4 years.Key themes from Kelcey's interview:E-...
Acquiring a $280k SaaS on MicroAcquire
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
An early buyer on MicroAcquire, Spencer Scott acquired a SaaS for $280k. He analyzed the deal like a rental property.Key points from Spencer's story:H...
Buy a Septic Business & Make $3m ARR
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Spracklin acquired a septic pumping business doing $1M annually, then grew it to $3M and margins to 30% in 2 years.Key points from Dan's story:Gra...
Pivoting to Swag in 7 Acquisitions Over 8 Years
20 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Two brothers took over a 110-year-old business in a stagnating industry. 7 acquisitions later, the future is bright.Key points from Ben's story:Ben Gr...
5 Lessons from Acquiring a $2m Portfolio of Websites
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How an online entrepreneur teamed with a family office to acquire & grow a portfolio of 15 websites for over $2 million.Key points from Paul's st...
How to Buy a Ski Resort (at Age 22)
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rick Schmitz was an inexperienced 22-year-old with no money when he acquired a run-down ski resort and turned it around.Key points from Rick's story:R...
How to Buy a Landscaping Business & Boost Profits Quickly
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In just 9 months, Mike Botkin decided to acquire a business, negotiated a great deal, and dramatically improved profits.Key points from Mike's story:B...
How One Small Acquisition Led to 9 More in 5 Years
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nick Haschka left a Silicon Valley career and bought an office plant service in 2017, then acquired 9 more through 2021.Key points from Nick's story:T...
How to Acquire Your First Business in 3 Months
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How first-time acquirer Philippe Vanderhoydonck found a 30-year-old trade media business & bought it in under 3 months.Reach Philippe Vanderhoydon...
How to Buy a $800k Clinical Trials Firm & Grow It to $3m
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How former management consultant Scott Whitt acquired and grew a small clinical trials business into the millions.Key points from Scott's acquisition:...
Buying a Manufacturer for Just the Value of Assets
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tyler Deike bought a small manufacturer for the cost of property & equipment, making the business itself almost free.Key points from Tyler's acqui...
How to Buy a $2m Dying Business Then Sell It for 5X
09 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Yarmo bought a struggling distributor & turned it into a local powerhouse in a different niche — then sold for 5x.Key points from Mike's ac...
Doubling Revenue 6 Months after Acquisition
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How a 9-month search was rewarded by the discovery of 2 tiny e-commerce companies primed for growth.Key points from Justin's acquisitions:Acquired fir...