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Acquiring Minds

Will Smith
Acquiring Minds
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  • The 7-Year Collapse of an SBA Acquisition
    Scott Duncan endured brutal ups & downs — and personal depression — during his ownership of a doomed tool & die businessRegister for the webinar: How to Model an Investor-Backed Search Acquisition - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/3XysjZBTopics in Scott’s interview:Wishing he had listened to his gutThe risk of EBITDA (vs. revenue) concentrationManaging highly skilled primadonnas Employee theftLosing key employeesLong sales cycles and fixed quotesForced Covid shutdownRazor and blade business modelFacing aggressive creditorsFiling Chapter 7References and how to contact Scott:LinkedInLearn 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 TeamDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact [email protected] with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron
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  • SBA Acquisition to $9m Cash Exit in 5 Years
    Andy Rougeot launched remote territories of the blue collar business he bought, which led to $1.7m of EBITDA and an exitRegister for the webinars: How to Invest In SMBs (Without Buying One Yourself) - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4rBI4NbHow to Model an Investor-Backed Search Acquisition - Dec 11th - https://bit.ly/4owBkNWTopics in Andy’s interview:His experience as an Army intelligence officerWhen in doubt, do the dirtiest jobThe military concept of “left seat, right seat” trainingSearching from the public libraryVeterans are well-suited to blue-collar leadershipRewards of leading young menGaining warm leads in new marketsHis team’s competitive edgeExiting his business to run for mayor of DenverInvesting in self-funded searchersReferences and how to contact Andy:LinkedInSearch Fund Secondaries GroupAndy’s webinar: Liquidity Options for Search InvestorsWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcherGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or [email protected] and mention Acquiring MindsConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron
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  • ETA Unicorn: $1 Billion in Revenue in 5 Years
    Steve Carroll started as an SBA searcher before pivoting to a PE-backed roll-up. It's gone better than he ever expected.Register for the webinars: How to Run the SBA Deal Race - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3Xh3WQbHow to Invest In SMBs (Without Buying One Yourself) - Dec 9th - https://bit.ly/44Gylv1Topics in Steve’s interview:Experience working for WalMart corporateSearching while working full timeMyth of passive incomeLarge dead deal costs from a failed acquisitionPartnering with his childhood friendUnderestimating working capital needs100-hour weeks away from his familyRapidly scaling through M&ABeware owners who leave quicklyAchieving $1 billion in revenue in 5 yearsReferences and how to contact Steve:LinkedInKelso IndustriesDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact [email protected] a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or [email protected] and mention Acquiring MindsLearn 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 TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron
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  • Buying for $600k, Selling for $35m
    Jake Bittner bought an unprofitable carve-out doing $3m. A key pivot grew revenue to $20m and got the attention of PE.Register for the webinar: How to Run the SBA Deal Race - Dec 4th - https://bit.ly/44whqv6Topics in Jake’s interview:Building a nest egg before leaving his jobFallout from his father’s failed businessesCalculating the value of a business losing moneyDisliking the bureaucracy of large companiesJoining his friend to run a distressed companyEmployee war storiesChanging the service they offeredAchieving 60% margins Boosting customer retentionSelling the company for 11x earningsReferences and how to contact Jake:LinkedInMission Support PartnersGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcherConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron
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  • When a $2.8m Acquisition Is More Like Zero-to-One
    Dave Gilbert spent 2 years fixing the model and customer concentration of the $750k SDE family business he bought with SBA debt.Topics in Dave’s interview:Leaving tech to buy a white collar businessMeeting with 120 owners while searchingBuying a business he initially passed onRisks of family members as employeesFinancial surprises after the transitionLosing 23% of revenue when clients leftAccountants do not like changeRecruiting top talentImportance of listening to employeesTransferring his zero-to-one skillsReferences and how to contact Dave:ProvenLinkedInGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcherLearn 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 TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron
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About Acquiring Minds

Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. Learn how to buy a business from the entrepreneurs who have already done it. 2x per week: stories, insights, & valuable advice about acquisition entrepreneurship. Hosted by Will Smith, who is on his own path to acquire a business. Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds Sign up for episode summaries at: https://acquiringminds.co
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