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Ben Rizzo bought an unprofitable, 4th-generation elevator business then stabilized, doubled, and sold it within 2 years.  Topics in Ben’s interview: His wife-funded search in PittsburghSourcing deals through lawyers and accountants vs brokersAcquiring an elevator repair business in distressQuickly making changes after transitionPouring his own money into the company to stay operationalSurviving the challenges of CovidDoubling the business and selling to private equityCalculating the risk of buying a turnaroundBuying a healthy business for his next ventureCompeting with private equity for acquisitionsReferences and how to contact Ben: Hartwood PointLinkedInGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business: Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory: The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Nathan Gregory left the music industry to buy Autobody News, a business that could benefit from his experience in media.  Topics in Nathan’s interview: Building and exiting a beer koozie brandManaging brand partnerships for pop starsEducating himself on business acquisitionPivoting away from home servicesBuying a media company with a partnerWhy print media isn’t dead His audience-first approachCommitment vs passion for the industryServing a hybrid workforceThe business model for trade publicationsReferences and how to contact Nathan: LinkedInTwitterAutobody NewsAcquiraGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business: Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRBook your free tax strategy session for business buyers today: Steed - book your free sessionConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business https://bit.ly/3SUJhzQ Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Houston on May 11th: https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDSPeter deBaptiste bought a 35-person plumbing business with 2 very technical, hands-on owners 1 hour away from his house. Topics in Peter’s interview: Building operational skills in a start-upAcquiring Joe Cole PlumbingHis disappointing first day as ownerBuying from 2 co-ownersSurprises in employee turnoverLosing clients to a former employeeWhat he likes about the plumbing businessThe complexities of working capital in constructionWhy he recommends holding off on strategyUnderestimating his salary needsReferences and how to contact Peter: LinkedInTwitterJoe Cole PlumbingEpisode with Peter's friend, Morgan McCauley:Taking the Plunge into Extreme OwnershipLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory: The Acquisition LabGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business https://bit.ly/3uwHx6yWill Wright bought a big event rental business in December 2018. When Covid hit, he turned crisis into opportunity. Topics in Will’s interview: Benefits of a traditional search fundFeeling like a “wartime president”His brutal first year as ownerValue of a strong company cultureScrambling to fulfill contracts after a large warehouse fireLayoff and salary cuts during CovidBuilding and strengthening the business during CovidCreating an incentive strategy for employeesTexas as an attractive place for businessHow sailing prepared him for leading peopleReferences and how to contact Will Wright: Everybody Matters by Bob Chapman and Raj SisodiaLinkedInPeerless Events and TentsGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Register here for the webinar, How to Raise Equity to Buy a Business https://bit.ly/3SAWZXdAdam Borcz bought & unlocked growth in a niche-y, 35-year-old blue collar business, almost tripling earnings in 4 years.  Topics in Adam’s interview: Adam’s experience working for a fundless sponsorPros & cons of having the federal government as a customerDoubling his work force in a “tough labor market”Why overhead doesn't need to scale with labor forceDoing nothing for the first six months as ownerWhy he invests in traditional search fundsPersonal risk and work involved in self-funded searchBeing on the right side of the SBA loanTying profit sharing to gross profitAdam's decision to hold the business indefinitelyReferences and how to contact Adam: LinkedInTwitterDelta Installation GroupGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business: Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory: The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Only after taking a second look at a small wedding catering & venue business did Nick Patrick recognize an opportunity.  Topics in Nick’s interview: Buying a business that checked only one boxGetting past major key person riskNick's fear of lacking operational experienceAcquiring without an SBA loan or investorsLearning to lead and handle conflictOperational intensity of a wedding catering businessCash flow advantages due to up-front depositsImprovements he made to the businessRealizing he won’t be able double businessSelling the business for a healthy profitReferences and how to contact Nick: Nick's Linktree: http://linktr.ee/nick.patrickInvest Like the BestGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business: Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory: The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Doug Johns reflects on his balance sheet, lifestyle, and new identity as business owner after 9 quarters in the seat.  Topics in Doug’s interview: His wife's involvement in the businessWorking 60 hours a week His experience with ROBS structure and buyoutSlowdown in home services industryWhy he loves owning & operatingWhen & why to raise your pricesMoving to a small town in a metro areaIntegration of business into daily lifeFierce competition in home servicesGreat benefit of franchises: in-network peer groupsReferences and how to contact Doug: LinkedInDoug John’s first appearance on Acquiring Minds: Opening Up to Franchises to Buy a Great BusinessGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamBook your free tax strategy session for business buyers today: Steed - book your free sessionConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI: https://bit.ly/4263xl0It was only after Michael Young started an accounting practice that he found the much larger practice he would then buy. How his father’s failed business influenced himBeing rejected by a search acceleratorStarting an accounting firm while searching18 months of dead deals before acquisitionRole of luck in business successRole of his wife How accounting practices are valued and pricedRed flags to look for during diligenceRole of PASBA in shaping accounting practicesHis advice for searchers looking at accounting practicesReferences and how to contact Michael: michael@bay-biz.comLinkedInPASBAPatrick DichterLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory: The Acquisition LabGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business: Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI: https://bit.ly/3U52srPAt his job, Morgan McCauley saw a ceiling on his impact & earning potential. Buying a home care business uncapped both. Topics in Morgan’s interview: His experience working in a family officeInvesting 2 months in a deal that diedTrade-off between equity and salary in traditional searchGeographical search in South FloridaChallenges with healthcare regulationsWhy Robert Graham didn’t like the dealThe decision to invest in business growthLearning curve in the highly regulated home care industryInvesting in business growth vs aggressively paying down debtEvaluating the lifetime value of clientsReferences and how to contact Morgan: LinkedInHow to Buy & Double a Home Care Agency | Jérôme Bouillon InterviewGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamBook your free tax strategy session for business buyers today: Steed - book your free sessionConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI: https://bit.ly/3SsxKrtRyan Doyle was 2 long years into searching when he walked away from a deal, but he was rewarded for the self discipline.  Topics in Ryan’s interview: Lessons learned from a failed dealValue of a thorough quality of earnings investigationWhy “stupid good margins” are a bad signBuying a residential pool business in the Golden Isles of GeorgiaBeing ghosted by his bookkeeper after transitionHis intern who stepped in after the bookkeeper disappearedWhy Ryan’s business doesn’t do pool constructionWhat he likes about seasonalityHis plan to own the Georgia coastHis WhatsApp search support “pod”References and how to contact Ryan: TwitterTurner Point CapitalGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business: Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Register here for the webinar, The Anatomy of an LOI: https://bit.ly/492E8ehBuying a property management business (which he's doubled) helped Brandon Laughridge balloon his real estate portfolio.  Topics in Brandon’s interview: Why he changed his mind about service businessesModernizing and professionalizing a property management businessGrowing from 12 to 25 employeesThe pain of owning a business with no pricing powerSetting boundaries with clients around service offeringsPros and cons of property managementHow SMB owners can incentivize Google reviewsThe myth of “passive income” in real estateManaging tenant relationshipsWho should buy a property management business (and who shouldn’t)References and how to contact Brandon: My First Million podcastBrian Shields' recent episode on Acquiring Minds: 2.5 Years from Buying to ExitingTwitterNorth Terrace Property Managementbrandon@northterrace.comBrandon’s popular Twitter thread from 2020Book your free tax strategy session for business buyers today: Steed - book your free sessionLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory: The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

Holdco entrepreneur Sam Turner shares his vision to build the leading platform for independent M&E businesses in the UK.  Topics in Sam’s interview: Importance of patience and flexible timelinesGetting through fetal position momentsBalancing diversification and integrationGurus in the business buying spaceLessons from his first acquisitionChange management in blue collar businessesIncreasing holdco revenue target from £60m to £150mExtending his 5-year plan to 10 yearsHis vision to improve the lives of 30,000 peopleShared services among his four businessesReferences and how to contact Sam: LinkedInsam.turner@advantos.comEmpire Builder: The Road to a Billion by Adam CoffeySam’s first interview with Acquiring Minds: Building an HVAC Holdco to £60m in RevenueGet a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business: Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HRGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter