Acquiring Minds

Corey Mullins had worked in the trade over a decade when he bought a tiny, failing HVAC business for its phone number.
Register for the webinars:
What Actually Makes a Good Deal? Patterns from 1,000+ Transactions- TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4m4gsy5
Offshore Talent vs. AI for Business Buyers - Tue, Mar 31 - https://bit.ly/4uW6rXG
Topics in Corey’s interview:
His 20-year career in HVAC
Failed buyout of the family business
Simultaneous launch and acquisition
Buying a truck and a phone number
Build-to-sell philosophy
Growth through online marketing
Waiting too long to hire managers
Taking vacations no matter what
Evolution of the “Trade Dad”
Exiting to private equity in under 4 years
References and how to contact Corey:
[email protected]
Cool By Design
Patrick Lange
Patrick Norris on Acquiring Minds: Buy & Build a Trash Business to a $4.4m Exit
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher
Get 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 Minds
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

Eric Donahue quickly grew revenue to $6m thanks to operational enhancements, culture tweaks, and a little good luck.
Register for the webinar:
What Actually Makes a Good Deal? Patterns from 1,000+ Transactions - Thurs March 26th - https://bit.ly/4lT2ajG
Topics in Eric’s interview:
Navy SEAL career and retirement
Performing the basics at a high level
His tree service side hustle
Old school proprietary search
Buying an off-market paving company
Forgoing SBA for a conventional loan
Working in the field to learn the asphalt trade
40% revenue growth in 13 months
Splitting his crew to keep the team productive
Using his military clearance to win jobs
References and how to contact Eric:
LinkedIn
Peninsula Paving
Hunter at Hanger Law
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact [email protected]
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

After 25 years on The Street, Brian Anderson discovered passion in buying small businesses — despite brutal challenges.
Register for the webinar:
How to Handle Common Employee Issues When Buying a Business - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4sa946l
Topics in Brian’s interview:
Career in investment banking/hedge funds
Closure of his firm
Pursuing small business as an asset class
Low multiples are fairly valued
Acquiring in manufacturing
Learning every operational function himself
Acquiring with no debt
Being away from his family M-F
His big mistake during Covid
Selling to his COO
References and how to contact Brian:
LinkedIn
His essay on the experience: Deco Manufacturing Summary and Lessons
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact [email protected]
Get 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 Minds
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

Naveen Vinta spends weekdays at the business he bought in Milkwaukee, away from home in Virginia. He's making it work.
Register for the webinars: 
Add-Backs to Cash Flow for SBA Loans - Tue March 17th - https://bit.ly/4luTdgd
How to Handle Common Employee Issues When Buying a Business - Thurs March 19th - https://bit.ly/4dnIwtD
Topics in Naveen’s interview:
Army experience as a tank mechanic
Funding his MBA with his G.I. Bill
Capitalizing on “onshoring” tailwinds
Getting brokers to take him seriously
Searching for a business one plane hop away
Acquiring an aerial work platform business
Modifying lifts to make them “explosion proof”
9-12 month sales cycle
Improving employee morale
Being away from his family during the week
References and how to contact Naveen:
LinkedIn
Bailey Cranes
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

After building a masonry business over 5+ years, Justin Escajeda bought his first company in 2018 and never looked back.
Register for the webinars: 
 From Owner to Owner: Business Transition Lessons - TODAY - https://bit.ly/46K82p5
Topics in Justin’s interview:
His early career as a stone mason
Growing his side jobs into a company
Liquidating his real estate investments
Focusing on masonry niches
Acquiring his first business for a 1.3 multiple
Recruiting managers based on work ethic
His flat compensation and guaranteed bonus structure
How he prevents fraud and mismanagement
Keeping company names the same after buying
The personal cost of overseeing 11 companies
References and how to contact Justin:
LinkedIn
Escajeda Holdings
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
The Acquisition Lab
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Connect with Acquiring Minds:
See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
Follow Will on Twitter
Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron