Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating

In Episode 348 of Acquisitions Anonymous, we dive into a fascinating e-commerce deal: an Amazon FBA health and wellness supplements business. This business generates over $1M in annual EBITDA while operating just 15 hours a week. With its concentrated revenue from three SKUs and heavy reliance on Amazon as a channel, we explore the risks and rewards of acquiring such a focused operation.

🔑 Key Highlights:

- Amazon Dependency: 96% of sales from Amazon, with one SKU accounting for 80% of revenue.
- Growth Opportunities: Potential to expand into retail (GNC interest) and other Amazon markets.
- Seller Financing: Why this business doesn’t qualify for SBA financing and what that means for buyers.

💡 Takeaways:

- The challenge of moving a brand off Amazon.
- The risks of concentration in SKUs and sales channels.
- How buyers can structure deals to mitigate these risks.

👨‍💻 Sponsors:

Acquisition Lab: Created by Walker Deibel, author of Buy Then Build, Acquisition Lab is the leading accelerator for serious buyers looking to acquire a business. Learn more at AcquisitionLab.com or email Chelsea Wood directly at [email protected].

HoldCo Conference 2025: The premier event for learning how to manage multiple businesses. Join us in Utah next spring at an all-inclusive mountain resort. Visit HoldCoConference.com.

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In this episode of Acquisitions Anonymous, hosts Heather Endresen, Bill D'Alessandro, Michael Girdley, Mills Snell, and special guest Chelsea Wood from Acquisition Lab take on a unique deal—a Harley-Davidson dealership listed at $8.6 million with $2.1 million in EBITDA. 

This episode is sponsored by Connor Groce – your go-to franchise consultant, helping prospective owners choose the right franchise and avoid common pitfalls. Connect with Connor’s team or attend his Gateway to Franchise Ownership workshop by visiting the link in the show notes. Visit https://www.connorgroce.com/ for more information.

They dig into the complexities of owning a franchise dealership, Harley-Davidson’s brand challenges with shifting demographics, and whether this iconic brand can attract younger generations or if it’s a risky buy in a declining market.

Key Highlights:

- Generational Shift & Brand Image: The team explores Harley’s struggle to maintain its appeal as younger generations show less interest in motorcycles, affecting dealership sales and longevity.

- Franchise Dealership Model: Michael explains the razor-and-blade model of franchise dealerships, where profits come more from service, parts, and financing rather than new bike sales.

- Buyer Beware: Chelsea warns about the risks for inexperienced buyers, emphasizing the importance of thorough due diligence and questioning why existing franchise owners haven’t picked up this dealership.

- Industry Dynamics: Bill highlights market shifts in power sports and discusses whether Harley-Davidson’s brand has long-term durability or is facing a “falling knife” situation as sales decline.

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In this episode, the Acquisitions Anonymous team dives into the ins and outs of a $32 million waterworks utility contractor business in the Carolinas. With a strong cash flow of $2.3 million, this company’s focus on installing and maintaining underground utilities for residential and commercial developments makes it a fascinating opportunity for strategic buyers.

Thanks to today's sponsor:
Connor Groce's expertise in product innovation and strategy has driven exceptional growth for numerous brands, both in scaling their presence and creating transformative customer experiences. With a proven track record of blending data-driven insights and creative approaches, Connor helps businesses thrive in competitive markets. Learn more about how Connor's strategic insights and innovative approach can empower your business to reach new heights—visit connorgroce.com.

Key Highlights:
Region-Specific Growth Potential: The Carolinas are experiencing strong population growth, making this a potentially lucrative investment. But with heavy dependence on development cycles, how sustainable is this market?

Growth Opportunities and Challenges: The business has a record backlog and is primed for expansion with the right infrastructure and talent. However, labor shortages in the industry and a lack of costing software raise questions about scaling potential.

Ideal Buyer Profile: This episode explores who could be the perfect buyer—possibly a military veteran looking to leverage government diversity contracts or a strategic acquirer looking to expand their portfolio.

Risk Factors and Due Diligence: From client relationships to transferability of the business, our hosts discuss the potential risks involved in acquiring a contractor with network-based sales and key dependency on skilled personnel.

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In this episode of Acquisitions Anonymous, Bill, Mills, Michael, Heather, and special guest Connor Groce dive into the deal of a $2.1 million EBITDA drug and alcohol addiction center in the Mountain West. With a 40% profit margin and revenue reaching $100,000 per patient, this addiction center’s comprehensive care model offers unique insights for prospective buyers.

Our hosts break down the intricate aspects of this business, from the operational costs of running multiple sober houses to the regulatory challenges associated with the addiction treatment industry. With specialized programs like equine and sports therapy, as well as strategic contracts expanding its patient base, this episode explores what makes this center both a compassionate service and a high-revenue investment.

Thanks to this week's sponsor:

Acquisition Lab: Looking to buy a business but don’t know where to start? Acquisition Lab, founded by Walker Deibel, author of Buy Then Build, offers a cohort-based, comprehensive education and support community to help you navigate the complexities of acquiring a business. Learn more at https://acquisitionlab.com/ or contact Chelsea Wood at [email protected] for a consultation.

And our additional sponsor:

Viso Business Capital: Looking for funding to fuel your acquisition? Viso Business Capital partners with 30+ lenders to secure the best financing options, fast and without friction. Sign up for a free Q&A session about SBA loans at https://visocap.net/.

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Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous!
In this retrospective episode, we take a deep dive into the unique business model of Smash My Trash. Our special guest, Connor Groce, a franchisee of Smash My Trash, joins us to break down the pros, cons, and surprising challenges of owning a franchise in the trash compaction industry. Discover what went right, what went wrong, and if this B2B sales-heavy model is right for you!

[Key Takeaways]

• Why Connor decided to buy an existing Smash My Trash territory
• The unexpected challenges of working with haulers and navigating B2B sales
• Insights on franchise maturity and risks for new franchisees
• Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD): what it is and what it reveals

[Sponsors]
Acquisition Lab:
Thinking about buying a business? Acquisition Lab, founded by Walker Deibel, author of Buy Then Build, offers a cohort-based educational community designed for serious business buyers. Learn more at AcquisitionLab.com or email Chelsea Wood directly at [email protected].

VISO Business Capital:
Need financing for a business acquisition? VISO Business Capital helps with SBA loans tailored for business acquisitions, offering over 30 different lenders to find you the best funding. Sign up for a free Q&A session at VisoCap.net, then click "Zoom Signup" at the top right.

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In this high-stakes episode of Acquisitions Anonymous, all four hosts tackle a controversial, intriguing listing: the bankruptcy assets of Infowars, the infamous media company led by Alex Jones. With humor and insight, the team dives into the unusual opportunity to acquire assets from this high-profile, politically charged brand, including intellectual property, production studios, a vast e-commerce business, and more. They discuss the potential risks, the wild history of Infowars’ reach, and consider how someone might leverage these assets creatively—or if it’s simply too toxic a deal.

This breakdown explores:

• The business model of e-commerce for influencers and Infowars’ strategy
• Legal implications of purchasing Infowars' assets
• The high-margin, supplement-heavy e-commerce store driving revenue
• The fascinating idea of repurposing Infowars into a Museum of Conspiracy Theories
• The potential liabilities and limitations of rebranding

Could there be a way to separate the assets from the controversial founder? Tune in to hear the team’s perspectives on one of the wildest deals they’ve covered yet!

This episode is sponsored by Acquisition Lab, the accelerator helping aspiring business buyers with education, tools, and community support. Created by Walker Deibel, author of Buy Then Build, Acquisition Lab offers a vetted cohort-based experience for people ready to navigate the complexities of acquiring a business. Learn more at AcquisitionLab.com.

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Welcome back to another episode of Acquisitions Anonymous! This time, we dive into a fascinating online business for sale – a subscription-based eBook company in Tampa, Florida, with a claimed 35% net margin. The kicker? The owners say they only put in about an hour a week! 😲

We're joined by special guest Kameron, a senior from the University of South Carolina, for fresh insights on evaluating deals as a young entrepreneur. Together, we discuss red flags, the subscription model, customer acquisition costs, and some eye-raising conversion rates. Could this business be a gold mine or a risky venture with hidden catches?

👀 What’s Inside:

- Deal Overview: $1.5M asking price, $400K in cash flow
- Business model pros & cons
- Customer retention & acquisition analysis
- Kameron’s perspective on young entrepreneurship and the appeal of online businesses
- And… why we have our doubts about the “1-hour workweek” claim!

Stay tuned to hear if we think this eBook venture is worth the investment or just another too-good-to-be-true pitch. Special thanks to Acquisition Lab for supporting today’s episode!

🌟 Interested in Acquiring a Business? 🌟
Our sponsor, Acquisition Lab, provides a proven framework, tools, and community to help you go from business search to close with confidence. Founded by Walker Deibel, author of Buy Then Build, Acquisition Lab offers a vetted program for serious buyers. Check them out at acquisitionlab.com or contact Program Director Chelsea Wood at [email protected].

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In this episode of Acquisitions Anonymous, Mills and Heather dive into the intriguing world of a $3.2 million e-commerce business focused on drinking games. This business, operating primarily on Shopify and leveraging a massive TikTok following of over 800,000, is cash-flow positive and offers a high profit margin. The episode explores potential risks, growth opportunities, and the ideal buyer profile for such a niche business.

Key Points:

1. Business Model: This is a direct-to-consumer brand with products sold primarily through Shopify, Amazon FBA, Walmart, and TikTok.
2. Financials: Generating $3.2 million in annual revenue with a $1.2 million profit, the business boasts a solid 40% profit margin.
3. Challenges: Concerns about single-product dependency, TikTok-driven customer acquisition, and potential lack of repeat purchases pose risks.
4. Buyer Suitability: The ideal buyer is likely a creative entrepreneur experienced in e-commerce or social media-driven businesses, or another e-commerce brand looking to expand into drinking games.

Why You Should Listen: This episode provides valuable insights into assessing niche e-commerce businesses, understanding the risks of a trend-based product, and tips on evaluating acquisition targets with heavy social media reliance.

Sponsors:

• Acquisition Lab: An accelerator designed for aspiring business buyers. Created by Walker Deibel, author of Buy Then Build, Acquisition Lab offers a cohort-based program with a proven framework, tools, and resources that guide buyers from search to close. To learn more, visit AcquisitionLab.com or email Chelsea Wood at [email protected].
• Viso Business Capital: Specializing in SBA loan solutions for business acquisitions, Viso Business Capital helps secure the best loan structure to fit each buyer’s needs, focusing on speed, low friction, and access to over 30 different lenders. For a free Q&A on SBA loans, visit VisoCap.net.

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In this episode of Acquisitions Anonymous, co-hosts Mills Snell and Heather Endresen take a deep dive into an intriguing real estate development opportunity—an exotic car storage facility near the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida. From analyzing the project’s $16 million price tag to debating the pros and cons of buying a partially constructed property, this episode covers the ins and outs of this unique opportunity.

Mills and Heather discuss the broader real estate market in Florida, share insights about repurposing properties for high-end storage, and ask the million-dollar question: Why is this development up for sale before it's even completed? Plus, they tackle key concerns about cash flow, market demand, and potential pitfalls.

If you’ve ever wondered about the intersection of luxury cars, real estate development, and high-stakes investing, this episode is for you. Stick around until the end for valuable tips on navigating deals like these and a quick shoutout to our sponsor, Acquisition Lab.

CTA: Learn more about buying businesses with our partner, Acquisition Lab: www.acquisitionlab.com
Get your tickets to HoldCo Conference 2025: www.holdcoconference.com

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This episode of Acquisitions Anonymous features a rerun of one of the podcast’s most interesting interviews with The Wolf of Franchises. The hosts explore common misconceptions about franchising, shedding light on the intricacies of franchise ownership, investment, and growth.

Episode Highlight:

• The Wolf of Franchises discusses the benefits and challenges of owning franchises, emphasizing how this can be a lucrative path for those not interested in starting from scratch.
• Key takeaways include how large multi-unit franchise owners scale their businesses and live off cash flow or profits from sales.

Key Points:

1. Who is the Guest?
   • The Wolf of Franchises is a well-known Twitter personality and expert in the franchising space. With seven years of experience in the industry, he worked for a multi-unit owner group and then transitioned to a franchise investment firm.
2. Main Topic - Franchising as a Business Model:
   • Franchising offers an entry point for those interested in business ownership without building a company from the ground up.
   • There's transparency in franchise financials, thanks to disclosure documents, but the industry is often misunderstood.
3. Challenges and Misconceptions:
   • Not all franchises are equally profitable; there's a distinction between the top-performing ones (e.g., McDonald's, Orange Theory) and lower-tier brands (e.g., Subway, Curves).
   • The scalability of franchises offers opportunities for those interested in owning multiple locations, but there are risks involved, including potential long payback periods for mediocre brands.
4. Franchising Success Tips:
   • Due diligence is essential when selecting a franchise. There are over 3,000 brands, but only a small percentage are highly profitable.
   • Multi-unit ownership is often the key to generating life-changing income. Starting with one franchise and scaling over time is a proven strategy.

Why You Should Listen:This episode is packed with insights for aspiring entrepreneurs or investors curious about the franchise model. Whether you're considering opening a franchise or investing in one, the episode offers valuable advice on how to assess potential opportunities and avoid pitfalls.

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