Acquiring Minds

Register for the webinars:

• Which Business Should You Buy? - Thu Oct 10 - https://bit.ly/47TzaBc

Marc Nzojibwami and 2 partners bought a business in Calgary, with a plan to keep buying (and without investor capital).

Topics in Marc’s interview:

• Early attempts at launching companies in university
• Acquiring with 2 partners
• Their plan to build a holdco together
• Acquiring a 40 year old sign shop
• Financing their deal in Canada
• Negotiating purchase price and seller note
• One change they made immediately
• Growing EBITDA 30% the first year
• Challenges and benefits of partnerships
• Searching full-time for his next acquisition

References and how to contact Marc:

• LinkedIn
• [email protected]
• ABL Imaging Group

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or email [email protected] and mention Acquiring Minds

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

• Contact [email protected] or visit Aspen HR

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

Register for the webinars:

• Which Business Should You Buy? - Thu Oct 10 - https://bit.ly/4gQqKP5

Taylor Wallace & Tyler O'Connor return to discuss selling to private equity & the painful reality of managing people.

Topics in Taylor’s interview:

• Evaluating the risk/reward of selling to private equity
• Selling to private equity but not exiting
• Good PE vs. bad PE
• Transition to a corporate structure
• Comparing outcomes with tech startups

References and how to contact Taylor:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Taylor Wallace’s original Acquiring Minds interview: Buying Doggy Daycares After 10 Years in Tech

Topics in Tyler’s interview:

• Comparing his military service with business ownership
• Unexpected hospitality aspect of the business
• Being both CEO and the sales department
• Delegating more to his general manager
• Working capital in a seasonal business

References and how to contact Tyler:

• Tyler O’Connor’s original Acquiring Minds interview: Using $100k to Buy a 7-Figure Dream Business
• SMBootcamp
• Bird Golf Academy

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

• https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital Advisory

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or email [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

George Tibil & Keith Fields bought a $1.1m janitorial business with falling revenues. 9 months later, sales are up 60%.

Topics in George and Keith’s interview:

• Their dissatisfaction with the corporate ladder
• Calling on Acquiring Minds guests for search advice
• Acquiring a ServiceMaster Clean franchise location
• What changed their minds about franchises
• Firing their first employee before taking ownership
• Cleaning all night when business was understaffed
• Managing an immigrant-heavy workforce
• Turning the culture around
• 40% growth without outbound sales
• Power of good partnerships

References and how to contact George and Keith:

• ServiceMaster Clean Buffalo
• George Tibil LinkedIn
• George Tibil Twitter
• Keith Fields on LinkedIn

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

• Contact [email protected] or visit Aspen HR

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

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Register for the webinars:

• Legal Office Hours (Deal Structure & Its Tax Implications) - Thu Sept 26 - https://bit.ly/4dhSAAX

• How to Hire an Operator to Replace Yourself - Fri Sept 27 - https://bit.ly/3MU6hLu

Dustin Fusillo bought a struggling ATM parts & services business. Unhappily, the decline continued under his ownership.

Topics in Dustin’s interview:

• Starting a private school in Florida
• Personal growth after divorce
• Losing money in 3 business ventures
• Reaching out to successful people for advice
• Backing out of a bad deal after selling his home and moving
• Buying a turnaround ATM business
• Liquidating inventory to a competitor
• Learning to manage anxiety and anger
• Importance of an industry-specific accountant
• His current role as a P&L manager

References and how to contact Dustin:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

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

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or email [email protected] and mention Acquiring Minds

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

• https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Register for the webinars:

• Legal Office Hours (Deal Structure & Its Tax Implications) - Thu Sept 26 - https://bit.ly/4grubvD

• How to Hire an Operator to Replace Yourself - Fri Sept 27 - https://bit.ly/3zgUbJr

Corey Robinson bought 4 locations in the legacy franchise Batteries Plus. He quickly bought 8 more, growing to $10m/yr.

Topics in Corey interview:

• Leaving the security of his corporate job
• What he likes about Batteries Plus
• Buying an expansion location for $100k cash
• Changing the culture at one location
• Remotely managing Texan teams from Iowa
• An HVAC acquisition that went poorly
• What he learned about making big changes
• Operating an independent business compared to a franchise
• The toll it took to spread himself over multiple industries
• His current role as an investor in small business acquisitions

References and how to contact Corey:

• Webinar cited in the intro: How (and Why) to Choose a Franchise as an Acquisition Entrepreneur
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Batteries Plus
• Brian Beers Acquiring Minds interview

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital Advisory

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

• Contact [email protected] or visit Aspen HR

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

Register for the webinars:

• Due Diligence Office Hours - Thu Sept 19 - https://bit.ly/3B2oF29

• How Much to Budget for a Self-Funded Search - Fri Sept 20 - https://bit.ly/4e4FWpV

• Legal Office Hours (Deal Structure & Its Tax Implications) - Thu Sept 26 - https://bit.ly/4emLEn1

• How to Hire an Operator to Replace Yourself - Fri Sept 27 - https://bit.ly/3ZrbCl1

It was a revelation when Brittney Orellano heard about buying businesses. 6 months later, she'd done it herself.

Topics in Brittney’s interview:

• Running a property management business while acquiring
• Winning over the employees after transition
• Unexpected costs of maintaining equipment
• Cashflow problems led to layoffs in off-season
• Getting used to project-based revenue
• Putting an extra out-of-pocket $30k into the business
• Using local service ads on Google through slow season
• Being inspired by Codie Sanchez and Tommy Mello
• Comparing startups with acquired businesses
• Owning and operating a business with her husband

References and how to contact Brittney:

• LinkedIn
• [email protected]
• Tommy Mello
• Codie Sanchez

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

• The Acquisition Lab

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

• Contact [email protected] or visit Aspen HR

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Matthias Smith of 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

Register for the webinars:

• Due Diligence Office Hours - Thu Sept 19 - https://bit.ly/4d27MSA

• How Much to Budget for a Self-Funded Search - Fri Sept 20 - https://bit.ly/4gk4XPH

• Legal Office Hours (Deal Structure & Its Tax Implications) - Thu Sept 26 - https://bit.ly/3zl0H1w

• How to Hire an Operator to Replace Yourself - Fri Sept 27 - https://bit.ly/3TuzvEG

Rory Tyer bought the nursery where he'd been a loyal customer. Today it generates not just cash for him, but peace.

Topics in Rory’s interview:

• Searching by driving around
• Advantage of buying in a high-growth area
• Buying a business his kids would be proud of
• Getting a “screaming deal” on a garden center
• Negotiating an unlisted deal
• Explaining deal structure to a seller
• Challenges of staffing a business with seasonality
• Decision to stay closed on Sundays
• Insurance costs tripling after acquisition
• Gardening as the antidote to screen fatigue

References and how to contact Rory:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• [email protected] 
• South Pleasantburg Nursery

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or email [email protected] and mention Acquiring Minds

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

• https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS

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

Register for the webinars:

• Thu Sept 12 - How Big a Business Should You Buy? - https://bit.ly/3XmtR8v

• Thu Sept 19 - Due Diligence Office Hours - https://bit.ly/4ghprZb

• Fri Sept 20 - How Much to Budget for a Self-Funded Search - https://bit.ly/4e1Qjeq

Acquiring a $2.5m pallet manufacturer was Michael Kelker's first step to building a legacy business for his family.

Topics in Michael’s interview:

• Self-funded vs. traditional vs. independent sponsorship
• Carrying on his family legacy in manufacturing
• His goal of having control over his work
• Acquiring a custom pallet manufacturer
• Getting the deal done during Covid
• Challenges with the appraisal
• Navigating the lumber price surge
• Hiring a banker as CFO
• Learning from his employees and customers
• Optimism despite pallet industry downturn

References and how to contact Michael:

• LinkedIn
• [email protected]
• GBR Riverdale

Get $200 off your ticket to the M&A Launchpad Conference in Chicago on October 26th:

• https://www.malaunchpad.com & enter code ACQUIRINGMINDS

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or email [email protected] and mention Acquiring Minds

Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Matthias Smith of 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

Register here for the webinar, How Big a Business Should You Buy?

• https://bit.ly/4cSC6is

Topics in Jackson’s interview:

• Fulfilling his dream of living on the beach
• Transitioning from real estate to restaurants
• Buying a nostalgic restaurant with his friend
• Unique aspects of owning a business in a tourist town
• Cashflow advantage in restaurants
• Lack of competition for acquiring restaurants
• Finding and installing an experienced operator
• Evaluating a restaurant’s potential
• Acquiring a second restaurant with 4 locations
• Investing in equipment and technology that increases sales

References and how to contact Jackson:

• Cowboy Group
• Jackson Speaks Twitter
• Jackson Speak's LinkedIn
• Pizza by the Sea
• Cowgirl Kitchen

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

• Contact [email protected] or visit Aspen HR

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

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Register here for the webinar, How Big a Business Should You Buy?

• https://bit.ly/4dPunmC

Without backgrounds in business, Julie & Janna Hottinger have grown the $2.1m trades business they bought last year 50%.

Topics in Julie and Janna’s interview:

• Being warned away from the asphalt industry
• Sisters who bought a construction business
• How the seller worked to ease the transition
• Acquiring with no prior business experience
• Slowly taking the all-paper business digital
• Cash flow challenges as a subcontractor
• Building trust with the existing team
• Growing revenue by hiring more employees
• How Covid affected commercial business spaces
• Why industry trends aren’t always accurate

References and how to contact Julie and Janna:

• Janna’s LinkedIn
• Janna Twitter
• Julie’s LinkedIn
• Julie Twitter
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• Signature Woodworking

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

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

• Contact [email protected] or visit Aspen HR

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