In this Episode, Jay Bourgana sits down with Michael Finnegan on why running a business and owning a business are two very different skill sets.

Most people think running a successful business automatically means they own a valuable one. But operators and buyers see the world very differently. In this episode of Acquisition Collective, Jay Bourgana sits down with Michael Finnegan to explain why learning how to buy a business fundamentally changes how you build one.

Michael breaks down how viewing a company through a buyer’s lens reveals what actually creates enterprise value and what quietly destroys it. He explains why revenue alone does not determine value, how business quality drives multiples, and why many founders fail to make the critical transition from operator to owner. As businesses grow into the $10 to $15 million range, financing options expand, talent improves, and opportunities increase, but only if the business is built correctly.

Whether you are an entrepreneur, business buyer, or investor, this episode highlights why owning a great business requires a completely different mindset than simply running one.

We dive into:
✅ Why running a business is not the same as owning one
✅ How buyers evaluate business quality
✅ What actually drives enterprise value
✅ Healthy vs unhealthy businesses
✅ Why most founders stall before the next level
✅ Thinking like a buyer to build long-term value

00:00 Running vs owning a business
02:15 Why buyers see value differently
05:40 Enterprise value explained
09:30 Healthy vs unhealthy businesses
14:10 The operator to owner transition
20:45 What changes at $10 to $15 million

→ Join our community – https://www.acquisitionscollective.biz/
→ Follow us – @AcquisitionCollective
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#BusinessAcquisitions #HomeServices #RealEstateInvesting #FranchiseMistakes #EntrepreneurPlaybook
#ServiceBusiness #OperationalExcellence #SmallBusinessGrowth #HorizontalIncome #ScalingSmart
#BusinessPodcast #OutsourcingOps #FounderJourney #PassiveIncome #FranchiseLawsuit
#FlooringBusiness #FoamBusiness #WheelbarrowProfits #DealMakers #PrivateEquityInsights
#AcquisitionStrategy #BusinessTurnaround

Most people think the goal of buying a small business is to hold it forever. But sometimes the smartest move is knowing when the game has changed. In this episode of Acquisition Collective, host Jay Bourgana sits down with Artur Meyster to break down why he and his partner sold their laundromat after doubling revenue and what they would absolutely do again.

Artur walks through how a simple, unsexy laundromat became a high-performing cash flowing business through operational fixes, pricing discipline, digital marketing, and better systems. He explains how they raised prices, added wash and fold, implemented POS and automation, and quickly captured the upside. Once the growth levers were pulled and the risk profile shifted, the decision to exit became strategic, not emotional.

Whether you are buying your first small business, operating a cash flowing asset, or thinking about when to exit, this episode offers a realistic look at ownership beyond the spreadsheet.

We dive into:
✅ Why they bought a laundromat with messy financials
✅ How they doubled revenue through pricing and operations
✅ The systems that unlocked repeat customers and growth
✅ The hidden operational burden of owner operated businesses
✅ Why holding forever is not always the best strategy
✅ How to recognize when it is time to sell

00:00 Why buying to hold forever is not always the goal
02:15 Finding and underwriting a laundromat with limited data
06:30 Raising prices and capturing immediate upside
10:45 Adding wash and fold to double revenue
15:20 Implementing POS, automation, and digital marketing
21:10 The operational realities owners underestimate
27:40 When the risk profile changed and selling made sense
33:30 Lessons Artur would repeat in his next acquisition

→ Join our community – https://www.acquisitionscollective.biz/
→ Follow us – @AcquisitionCollective
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/acquisitions-collective
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/acquisitioncollective/
→ Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@acquisitioncollective


#BusinessAcquisitions #HomeServices #RealEstateInvesting #FranchiseMistakes #EntrepreneurPlaybook
#ServiceBusiness #OperationalExcellence #SmallBusinessGrowth #HorizontalIncome #ScalingSmart
#BusinessPodcast #OutsourcingOps #FounderJourney #PassiveIncome #FranchiseLawsuit
#FlooringBusiness #FoamBusiness #WheelbarrowProfits #DealMakers #PrivateEquityInsights
#AcquisitionStrategy #BusinessTurnaround

Most people think niche expertise limits your potential, but the truth is that the right leverage can turn even the most unexpected background into a global business engine. In this episode of Acquisition Collective, Jay Bourgana sits down with Márcio Gonçalves to unpack how a pig nutrition scientist built one of the wildest entrepreneur stories you’ve never heard.

Márcio reveals how he left a billion-dollar genetics company, launched a niche podcast, and transformed it into a 20-channel media network spanning swine, poultry, dairy, aquaculture, oncology, and even GLP-1. He breaks down how he built remote teams across three countries, created a recruiting funnel with 10,000 applicants a year, and scaled a VA company long before most entrepreneurs understood the power of distributed talent.

This conversation is a masterclass in building systems, hiring globally, understanding high-value audiences, and turning specialized knowledge into a scalable business model.

We dive into:
✅ How a pig nutrition PhD became a full-time entrepreneur
✅ The blueprint behind 20 media channels
✅ Why tiny audiences with massive decision power are gold
✅ How Márcio built a world-class remote team across 3 countries
✅ The recruiting system that attracted 10,000+ applicants
✅ Why brand authority matters more than downloads
✅ How he scaled a VA company using systems, EOS, and culture
✅ What founders misunderstand about remote teams and hiring

If you care about business growth, remote talent, or building leverage from unconventional expertise, hit play.

Timestamps
00:00 How a pig scientist built a global media business
00:29 Why niche audiences hold massive buying power
01:02 The real story behind the 20-channel media network
02:12 Leaving a billion-dollar company for entrepreneurship
03:15 Launching the first podcast and monetizing early
04:01 Sponsorships, audience value, and pandemic pivot
05:14 Why veterinarians and scientists became the hosts
06:36 Understanding the economics of niche decision-makers
09:36 Should every B2B company start a podcast
11:23 How to use podcasts for business development
13:48 Measuring brand authority and audience quality
15:47 Expanding into human health and GLP-1 content
17:33 Finding guests and running a world-class content pipeline
20:04 How Márcio built a VA company by accident
22:06 Why recruiting funnels matter more than marketing funnels
24:32 Building remote teams and culture with EOS + 90.io
27:17 The monthly culture survey that prevents team issues
31:00 Personality profiling and hiring for remote success
34:12 Training VAs in AI tools like Make and LLM workflows
36:34 The future of remote work and AI-powered talent
40:00 What founders get wrong about delegation and leverage

→ Join our community – https://www.acquisitionscollective.biz/
→ Follow us – @AcquisitionCollective
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/acquisitions-collective
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/acquisitioncollective/
→ Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@acquisitioncollective

Connect with Márcio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcioadg/
https://wisevas.io/

#BusinessAcquisitions #HomeServices #RealEstateInvesting #FranchiseMistakes #EntrepreneurPlaybook
#ServiceBusiness #OperationalExcellence #SmallBusinessGrowth #HorizontalIncome #ScalingSmart
#BusinessPodcast #OutsourcingOps #FounderJourney #PassiveIncome #FranchiseLawsuit
#FlooringBusiness #FoamBusiness #WheelbarrowProfits #DealMakers #PrivateEquityInsights
#AcquisitionStrategy #BusinessTurnaround

Most people think the hardest part of buying a business is finding the deal, but the real test is stepping into ownership and making the business stronger than you found it. In this episode of Acquisition Collective, host Jay Bourgana sits down with James Smith to unpack how a 29 year old active duty soldier used acquisition entrepreneurship to buy a 40 year old cash flowing business before leaving the Army. 

James breaks down how he sourced a small business acquisition that matched his buy box, secured an SBA loan, built trust with a retiring owner, and navigated a five month closing process that tested every part of his plan. He shares the operational lessons he learned on day one, from managing designers and installers to rebuilding a sales and marketing engine inside an already successful company.

Whether you dream of buying a business, scaling a cash flowing business, or stepping into acquisition entrepreneurship for the first time, this episode shows what the journey really looks like.

We dive into:
✅ How James identified the right small business acquisition
✅ Why an SBA loan added complexity but unlocked the deal
✅ How he built trust with a 23 year owner and kept the team
✅ What he learned about sales, designers, and lead flow
✅ How he plans to scale the business with simple improvements
✅ Why buying a business is the fastest path to ownership

If you are serious about buying a business the right way, hit play.

00:00 How a veteran bought a cash flowing business at 29
02:10 The path from Army service to buying a business
05:30 Building the buy box for a small business acquisition
09:00 Finding the cabinetry company and meeting the seller
12:20 Structuring the offer and navigating the SBA loan
16:45 The five month closing process and lender challenges
21:00 Understanding the sales engine inside the business
25:00 Why the company had no marketing and still grew
30:00 Hiring designers and building a scalable model
35:00 Lessons learned from acquisition entrepreneurship
40:00 What James plans to improve next year

→ Join our community – https://www.acquisitionscollective.biz/
→ Follow us – @AcquisitionCollective
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/acquisitions-collective
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/acquisitioncollective/
→ Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@acquisitioncollective


#BusinessAcquisitions #HomeServices #RealEstateInvesting #FranchiseMistakes #EntrepreneurPlaybook
#ServiceBusiness #OperationalExcellence #SmallBusinessGrowth #HorizontalIncome #ScalingSmart
#BusinessPodcast #OutsourcingOps #FounderJourney #PassiveIncome #FranchiseLawsuit
#FlooringBusiness #FoamBusiness #WheelbarrowProfits #DealMakers #PrivateEquityInsights
#AcquisitionStrategy #BusinessTurnaround

Most buyers think the biggest risks in a business acquisition show up in the financials, but the real danger is everything you cannot see on a spreadsheet. In this episode of Acquisition Collective, host Jay Bourgana sits down with operational due diligence expert Mike White to break down how to identify invisible risk before you buy a business.

From cultural misalignment to missing processes and unclear strategy, Mike reveals how hidden operational issues become the traps that sink acquisitions after closing. He shares real-world lessons from hundreds of diagnostics covering structure, leadership gaps, team sentiment, and process breakdowns that separate disciplined operators from buyers who get blindsided.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, private equity operator, or seasoned acquirer, this episode is your tactical playbook for exposing hidden risks and improving your deal outcomes from day one.

We dive into:
✅ Why financial due diligence is not enough
✅ Cultural and leadership red flags that sabotage integrations
✅ How employee interviews reveal the real story
✅ The Atlas Framework for operational diligence
✅ Why teams want more structure than their owners
✅ How to evaluate recurring revenue vs. “hunt and kill” models

If you’re serious about buying a business the right way, hit play.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – Why invisible risk kills deals
02:15 Cultural misalignment and seller-created chaos
07:40 How diagnostics uncover hidden operational gaps
13:00 Strategy alignment and leadership pitfalls
19:30 When teams want more structure than owners
24:50 Evaluating recurring revenue businesses
31:00 Operational red flags during diligence
38:40 How to run effective employee interviews
46:10 Avoiding post-close surprises through deeper diligence

→ Join our community – https://www.acquisitionscollective.biz/
→ Follow us – @AcquisitionCollective
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/acquisitions-collective
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/acquisitioncollective/
→ Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@acquisitioncollective


#BusinessAcquisitions #HomeServices #RealEstateInvesting #FranchiseMistakes #EntrepreneurPlaybook
#ServiceBusiness #OperationalExcellence #SmallBusinessGrowth #HorizontalIncome #ScalingSmart
#BusinessPodcast #OutsourcingOps #FounderJourney #PassiveIncome #FranchiseLawsuit
#FlooringBusiness #FoamBusiness #WheelbarrowProfits #DealMakers #PrivateEquityInsights
#AcquisitionStrategy #BusinessTurnaround

Most first-time buyers think online businesses are too volatile or too risky but the real danger is not knowing what you’re actually buying. In this episode of Acquisition Collective, host Jay Bourgana sits down with 17-year digital acquisitions veteran Brendan Lawrence to break down how to buy online businesses that truly print cash flow.

From small affiliate sites to high-margin lead-gen assets, Brendan reveals how he turned tiny digital properties into machines producing hundreds of thousands in profit. He shares real-world lessons from dozens of buys covering sourcing, valuation, red flags, and negotiation tactics that separate disciplined operators from buyers who get burned.

Whether you’re a first-time acquirer, content site investor, or operator looking to scale into digital assets, this episode is your tactical playbook for finding online businesses that cash flow from day one.

We dive into:
✅ How to source real online business deals (not scams)
✅ Red flags in affiliate, PPC, and coupon sites
✅ How Brendan bought a $125K asset that paid him $1M
✅ What makes an online business “replicable and scalable”
✅ Why some sellers peak early and how to spot it
✅ Deal structures that de-risk your acquisition

If you’re serious about buying online businesses the right way, hit play.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – Why online businesses print cash flow
02:10 How Brendan bought his first digital business
07:00 Structuring rev-share and seller-financed deals
12:00 What makes an affiliate business replicable
18:00 Sourcing deals and spotting motivation
23:00 Buying assets vs. buying companies
28:00 The $15K deal that still prints $500K
35:00 Red flags in online business listings
42:00 Why most small digital businesses fail
52:00 How AI will reshape online acquisitions
58:00 Buying safely in today’s digital market


→ Join our community – https://www.acquisitionscollective.biz/
→ Follow us – @AcquisitionCollective
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/acquisitions-collective
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/acquisitioncollective/
→ Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@acquisitioncollective


#BusinessAcquisitions #HomeServices #RealEstateInvesting #FranchiseMistakes #EntrepreneurPlaybook
#ServiceBusiness #OperationalExcellence #SmallBusinessGrowth #HorizontalIncome #ScalingSmart
#BusinessPodcast #OutsourcingOps #FounderJourney #PassiveIncome #FranchiseLawsuit
#FlooringBusiness #FoamBusiness #WheelbarrowProfits #DealMakers #PrivateEquityInsights
#AcquisitionStrategy #BusinessTurnaround

Most first-time buyers think the danger ends once the LOI is signed but that’s when the real risk begins. In this episode of Acquisition Collective, host Jay Bourgana sits down with Harvard Law grad and M&A attorney Bill Barlow to unpack how to protect yourself before you close the deal.

From one bad clause to a poorly structured agreement, a dream acquisition can turn into a financial nightmare. Bill shares real-world lessons from 30+ active M&A deals covering the legal traps, deal structures, and negotiation tactics that separate smart buyers from sorry ones.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, independent sponsor, or operator scaling through acquisitions, this episode is your tactical playbook for buying safely and closing strong.

We dive into:
✅ Clauses that quietly destroys deal
✅ How to avoid working capital traps
✅ Key red flags before due diligence
✅ Protecting yourself in seller-financed deals
✅ Non-compete and key employee pitfalls

If you’re serious about buying a business the right way, hit play.


00:00 Intro – The real risk begins after the LOI
02:00 When to involve an attorney (and when not to)
06:00 Biggest structural mistakes buyers make
10:00 Working capital and seller expectations
18:00 Keeping your leverage before closing
23:00 Red flags that destroys deal
30:00 Handling licenses, leases, and legal due diligence
40:00 When quality of earnings saves a deal
52:00 Common legal traps first-time buyers miss
57:00 The #1 cause of failed acquisitions


→ Join our community – https://www.acquisitionscollective.biz/
→ Follow us – @AcquisitionCollective
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/acquisitions-collective
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/acquisitioncollective/
→ Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@acquisitioncollective


#BusinessAcquisitions #HomeServices #RealEstateInvesting #FranchiseMistakes #EntrepreneurPlaybook
#ServiceBusiness #OperationalExcellence #SmallBusinessGrowth #HorizontalIncome #ScalingSmart
#BusinessPodcast #OutsourcingOps #FounderJourney #PassiveIncome #FranchiseLawsuit
#FlooringBusiness #FoamBusiness #WheelbarrowProfits #DealMakers #PrivateEquityInsights
#AcquisitionStrategy #BusinessTurnaround

Learn how to scale a sales team from $10M to $80M in revenue. In this episode of Acquisition Collective, Jay Bourgana interviews Chandra Rao, who reveals the systems, culture, and recruiting strategies he used to build a high-performance sales organization.

From setting up “one-call close” systems, to hiring the right sales profiles, to designing incentive plans that drive real performance—this conversation is a blueprint for entrepreneurs and operators who want to build scalable, predictable revenue.

We talk about how to:
✅ Recruit, train, and retain top-tier closers
✅ Design comp plans that inspire performance (without chaos)
✅ Build sales culture around accountability and standards
✅ Avoid bad hires that poison your team
✅ Structure training so new hires perform in weeks, not months
✅ Use sales leadership to scale from $10M → $80M and beyond

If you’re a business buyer, entrepreneur, or M&A professional, this is a must-watch.

Timestamps:
00:00 From Sales Rep to VP of Sales & Consultant
02:00 How He Grew Renewal by Andersen from $10M → $80M
05:00 One-Call Close Explained (Without High Pressure)
08:00 Why Most Companies Waste 30% of Their Leads
12:00 The SDR Role: Appointment Setting Done Right
17:00 Recruiting Top Sales Talent (and Keeping Them)
23:00 DISC Profiles: Who Actually Wins in Sales
27:00 Why One Bad Hire Can Poison a Sales Team
31:00 Compensation Plans that Scale (and Inspire)
36:00 Incentives that Involve the Spouse (Game-Changer)
42:00 Training Systems: From Scripts to Field Work
50:00 Why Culture is the Secret Multiplier for Sales Teams
57:00 How Great Sales Leadership Drives Enterprise Value


→ Join our community – https://www.acquisitionscollective.biz/
→ Follow us – @AcquisitionCollective
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/acquisitions-collective
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/acquisitioncollective/
→ Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@acquisitioncollective

In this episode of Acquisition Collective, Jay Bourgana sits down with Paul Gallagher to unpack his journey from care worker to private equity payout. Paul built a healthcare company from scratch, scaling to 32 locations and 140 caregivers before selling in his 30s. He reveals the highs of the exit, the lows of post-sale life, and the hard-won lessons from two acquisition deals that followed.

This candid conversation is a playbook for entrepreneurs, business buyers, and investors: why structure often beats price, how to avoid emotional attachment in deals, and the red flags you must catch in due diligence.

We talk about how to:
✅ Scale from frontline worker to multi-million exit
✅ Navigate identity shifts after selling your company
✅ Spot red flags in financials before closing
✅ Use seller financing to structure smarter deals
✅ Build in fragmented industries like healthcare services

If you’re an entrepreneur, business buyer, or investor, this episode is a must-watch.


→ Join our community – https://www.acquisitionscollective.biz/
→ Follow us – @AcquisitionCollective
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/acquisitions-collective
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/acquisitioncollective/
→ Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@acquisitioncollective

In this episode of Acquisition Collective, Jay Bourgana interviews Chandra Rao about his journey from rookie deal to $17,000,000 in revenue. What started as a risky first purchase turned into a masterclass on business acquisition, culture, and scaling.

From losing $300K in year one, to uncovering fraud, to building systems that generate consistent cash flow, Chandra shares what every entrepreneur and business buyer must know before making their first deal. This is a blueprint for operators who want sustainable growth in M&A and long-term entrepreneurship.

We talk about how to:
✅ Avoid rookie mistakes in business acquisition
✅ Spot red flags in sellers during due diligence
✅ Build company culture that attracts top talent
✅ Scale revenue across multiple acquisitions
✅ Balance growth, family, and entrepreneurship
✅ Position for the $17M milestone (and beyond)

If you’re serious about M&A, entrepreneurship, and scaling revenue, this is a must-watch.

Timestamps
00:00 From Oracle to Startup Rocketship (Coupa $50M → $20B)
02:00 The Rookie Deal: $500K Electrical Contractor at 1x EBITDA
05:00 Losing $300K in Year One—And the Lessons Learned
10:00 Seller Fraud, IRS Issues, and Why Culture Matters
15:00 Scaling Through 3 Acquisitions in 2020 (During COVID)
22:00 Burning Out While Balancing W-2 + Business Acquisition
28:00 The Trailer Manufacturing Disaster ($1M Burned in 1 Year)
37:00 Buying Out a Toxic Partner & Rebuilding Company Values
44:00 The $4.4M Electrical Services Deal (Best Acquisition Yet)
50:00 Why EOS + Culture Transformed the Companies
53:00 The $17M Revenue Milestone and Next Growth Phase
59:00 Key Advice for Entrepreneurs and Business Buyers


→ Join our community – https://www.acquisitionscollective.biz/
→ Follow us – @AcquisitionCollective
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/acquisitions-collective
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/acquisitioncollective/
→ Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@acquisitioncollective

Follow Chandra on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandrasrao/