Greg Shapiro & Zach Cooper-Vastola are building a long-term, compounding business they see as the anti-PE of the trades.

Register for the webinar:
Franchising for the ETA Buyer: Resales, Roll-Ups, and Real Deals - TODAY - https://bit.ly/49sKF4H

Topics in Greg and Zach’s interview:

• Founders combined technical and financial expertise
• Shifted from SaaS to long-term ownership
• Acquired century-old Manhattan HVAC company
• High cost and complexities of New York market
• Avoided SBA limits to scale acquisitions
• What “Anti-PE” means to them
• Digitization takes longer than you think
• Living lean on low salaries
• Predicting HVAC roll-up market shakeout ahead
• Influence and investment from Will Thorndike

References and how to contact Greg and Zach:

• Hickory
• Greg Shapiro LinkedIn
• Zach Cooper-Vastola LinkedIn
• Will Thorndike
• Steve Carroll on Acquiring Minds: ETA Unicorn: $1 Billion in Revenue in 5 Years

Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

• Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

• The Acquisition Lab

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

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 and produced by Pam Cameron

The first business Joe Wechsler bought had $280k of SDE. Seven years later, he runs a fund with $50m of buying power.

Register for the webinar: 

• Franchising for the ETA Buyer: Resales, Roll-Ups, and Real Deals - Thu, June 4 - https://bit.ly/4vnGP5u

Topics in Joe’s interview:

• Background in management consulting
• Inspired by Rich Dad Poor Dad to own assets
• Joining an early cohort of the Acquisition Lab
• Searching is more fun with a partner
• First deal died 10 days before closing
• Discovering employees had never been paid overtime
• Total office staff turnover in first 4 months
• Acquiring 4 diverse businesses
• Launching a $25M equity fund with 5 partners
• It’s all about the people

References and how to contact Joe:

• LinkedIn
• Blueline Ventures
• Who by Geoff Smart and Randy Street
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Richard T. Kiyosaki

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

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact [email protected]

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 and produced by Pam Cameron

As a South African in the US, Justus Luttig had to get creative to search then buy 2 trades businesses at the same time.

Register for the webinar: 

• New $10m Limit for SBA Loans: What You Need to Know - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4v3zKXh

Topics in Justus’s interview: 

• Growing up on a cattle ranch in South Africa
• Disillusioned with the venture capital bubble
• Perception of white collar work as “the dream”
• Meeting successful owners of blue-collar businesses
• Big deal failure on his birthday
• Structuring a deal without the SBA
• Challenges of searching on an H1B visa
• Merging an HVAC with a plumbing business
• The magic happens when you leave your desk
• Acquiring during the slow season

References and how to contact Justus:

• LinkedIn
• Copeland Home Services

The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

• 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 and produced by Pam Cameron

David Graf went after a business that had sat on the market, acquiring $750k of EBITDA for 2.7x. It's going well.

Register for the webinars: 

• Negotiating Working Capital in SMB Acquisitions - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4a2ozGe
• New $10m Limit for SBA Loans: What You Need to Know - Thu, May 28 - https://bit.ly/49j3V4t

Topics in David’s interview: 

• Drive to earn money as a kid
• Choosing to skip business school
• Advantages of acquiring in Texas
• Preparing his case to convince his wife
• Working full time while searching
• Growth is often underpriced
• Wholesaling real estate he didn’t want
• How to decide whether to keep an employee
• Joining a group for manufacturing owners
• Near-crisis days before closing

References and how to contact David:

• LinkedIn
• Danhard
• Rand Larsen
• Scalepath
• Get a Grip by Mike Paton

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

• Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

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 and produced by Pam Cameron

Truc Nguyen has acquired 2 nail salons, an overlooked but fragmented industry where businesses trade at low multiples.

Register for the webinar:

• Negotiating Working Capital in SMB Acquisitions - Tue, May 26 - https://bit.ly/4eQfCTR

Topics in Truc’s interview:

• Why she chose the nail salon industry
• Her vision for a rollup
• Analyzing a current nail salon business listing
• Low multiples in the nail space
• Bargaining power of good nail techs
• Square footage and number of chairs matters
• Documenting SOPs for her first salon
• Staffing a 7-day-a-week business
• Creating a great company culture
• The changing face of nail salons

References and how to contact Truc:

• LinkedIn
• Sarah Romer on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy a Salon as an Industry Outsider (and Survive)

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

The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

• 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 and produced by Pam Cameron

Gant Elmore and Matt Moldenhauer each bought $2m businesses they built over years. Today their holdco does over $200m. 

Register for the webinar:

• Revenue Recognition & Quality of Revenue in SMB Deals - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4dMvx4w

Topics in Matt & Gant’s interview:

• 3 generations of acquisition entrepreneurs
• Matt started as operator, became partner
• Bain mentors warned Matt not to do ETA
• Goal of owning 50 companies by 2050
• Being the Ferrari in a price-competitive industry
• Why they prefer holding to exiting
• Challenge of giving control to an operator
• Gant and his dad teach ETA together
• War stories from small business operations
• Demand exceeds supply of great businesses

References and how to contact Matt & Gant:

• Elmore Companies
• [email protected]
• Matt’s LinkedIn
• Gant’s LinkedIn

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

Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

• Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

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 and produced by Pam Cameron

Zack Mutnik thought he bought a $1.5m electrical contracting business for 2.3x. The numbers weren't what they seemed.

Register for the webinar:

• Kill It Early: Spot Red Flags Before Spending on Diligence - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4eBVO6E

Topics in Zack’s interview:

• Learning leadership in the Navy
• Managing chaos with ADHD
• Undisclosed surprises after acquisition
• Replacing 8/10 employees
• Heavy emphasis on company culture
• Deciding to change the business name
• Training his employees to be independent
• Growing revenue despite a rocky start
• Marketing is not a quick fix
• Finding employees in a rural market

References and how to contact Zack:

• TikTok
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

• Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact [email protected]

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

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 and produced by Pam Cameron

Alicia Powers wanted to buy a general contractor but understood the risks in such businesses and negotiated accordingly.

Register for the webinar: 

• Kill It Early: Spot Red Flags Before Spending on Diligence - Thu, May 14 - https://bit.ly/4wqiYU3

Topics in Alicia’s interview:

• Air Force construction experience
• Corporate job at an elevator company
• Leading a shower remodeling startup
• Layoff motivated her toward acquisition
• Why franchising isn’t for her
• Acquiring a small construction business
• Getting her general contractor license
• Specializing in home additions/ADUs
• Tailwinds in the San Diego area
• Surprisingly long sales cycle

References and how to contact Alicia:

• LinkedIn
• Price Builders

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

The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

• 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 and produced by Pam Cameron

Brendan Duebner's goal is to build a healthy, long-term business of 20-40 people. Buying a $1.2m MSP was his first step.

Topics in Brendan’s interview:

• Learning to lead in the Army
• Summer internship with Josh Medow
• Cold calling is unpleasant but effective
• Living and acquiring in the Bay Area
• Working in the business before closing
• Signs of seller integrity
• 85% seller note with no personal guarantee
• Implementing EOS himself
• Choosing to only hire local
• His mission of building a tribe

References and how to contact Brendan:

• LinkedIn
• IT Total Care
• Josh Medow on Acquiring Minds: How to Unlock Growth in a 40-Year-Old Business You Buy
• Abhi Ravishankar on Acquiring Minds: The $50m Lifestyle Holdco

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

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 and produced by Pam Cameron

Andrew Blazenko has made 6 acquisitions over the last ten years. Pairing businesses with operators is key to his model.

Topics in Andrew’s interview:

• Background as a business broker
• Wanted the exit joy for himself
• Danger of low barrier to entry
• Finding great operators to run his businesses
• Business acquisition requires reps
• Executive in Residence program
• Requiring operators to invest in the business
• Difficulty of raising equity in Canada
• Shipping costs as a natural moat
• Living as a “gentleman of leisure” 

References and how to contact Andrew:

• LinkedIn
• ProSafe
• Eterna Equity
• TrueFoam

The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:

• The Acquisition Lab

Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.

• Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.

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 and produced by Pam Cameron