In this episode, Tim sits down with Alan Underwood, a coach, speaker, investor, and entrepreneur, to talk about the seller side of small business transactions.

Alan shares the story of building and selling a car dealership, including launching from a former junkyard, surviving a fire before opening, navigating the 2007 credit crunch, and eventually growing the business into a multi-location dealership doing roughly $16 million in annual revenue.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of grief, depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation.

00:00 – 01:34 | The Burning Junkyard and Seller Perspective

01:34 – 03:02 | The Car Dealership Alan Sold

03:02 – 08:15 | Choosing Ownership Over Security

08:15 – 13:21 | Launching From a Junkyard on Fire

13:21 – 18:38 | Learning Business Through Pizza and Systems

18:38 – 27:18 | Growing Through Financing, Customers, and Process

27:18 – 34:30 | Why Alan Decided to Sell

34:30 – 40:09 | Understanding the Seller's True Situation

40:09 – 50:51 | Healing, Coaching, and Final Lessons

Guest Bio

Alan Underwood is a coach, speaker, investor, and entrepreneur who has built and sold multiple businesses, including pizza restaurants and a car dealership. His car dealership grew to two locations, earned strong customer reviews, built a major local following, and reached approximately $16 million in annual revenue.

Connect with Alan:

Instagram: instagram.com/thealanunderwood/

Facebook: facebook.com/alan.underwood.54

Website: thealanunderwood.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/the-alan-underwood

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes

"Pray hard, work hard, and treat people right." — Alan Underwood

"A business can be financially valuable and personally crushing at the same time." — Alan Underwood

"The number on the offer sheet does not always tell the whole seller story." — Tim Delaney

In this solo episode, Tim walks through how buying a small wine and liquor store outside Buffalo became the foundation for buying the commercial plaza where that store operated. He explains why he reinvested early profits back into inventory, systems, marketing, and customer loyalty instead of pulling cash out, and how opening a business line of credit before he needed it helped him move quickly when a high-margin inventory opportunity appeared.

Tim T. Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 01:39] Buying a Wine and Liquor Store

[01:39 – 03:19] Reinvesting Instead of Pulling Cash Out

[03:19 – 04:51] The Myth of Overnight Success

[04:51 – 06:43] Opening a Line of Credit Before It Was Needed

[06:43 – 08:33] Building the Relationship With the Landlord

[08:33 – 09:57] Seller Financing and Negotiating Terms

[09:57 – 10:56] Finding the Down Payment

[10:56 – 12:50] The Roof Problem and Why Cash Flow Mattered

[12:50 – 14:57] How One Business Can Change Your Life

If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Tim and the community:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: @timtdelaney

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney

Facebook: facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes:

"You should have a plan to grow the business right from the start." — Tim T. Delaney

"The best time to ask a bank for credit is when you don't need it." — Tim T. Delaney

"A cash-flowing business can give you the confidence to take on the next asset." — Tim T. Delaney

In this episode, Tim sits down with Ryan James, a successful business owner, real estate investor, and lifelong entrepreneur, to talk through the messy, real-world process of buying a business. Ryan shares why he shifted from starting businesses to buying an existing one, what he learned from a two-year search, why off-market deals are harder than they sound, and how the right broker can make or break a transaction.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

00:00 – 03:07 | Why Ryan Chose Buying Over Starting

03:07 – 07:27 | The Two-Year Business Search

07:27 – 14:29 | Ryan's Entrepreneurial Background

14:29 – 18:34 | Defining the Acquisition Criteria

18:34 – 27:36 | Off-Market Search and Broker Relationships

27:36 – 38:06 | Deals That Fell Apart

38:06 – 43:44 | The Distribution Business Opportunity

43:44 – 54:45 | Valuation, SDE, and Deal Structure

54:45 – 01:10:02 | SBA Financing, Closing, and Final Lessons

Guest Bio

Ryan James is a successful business owner, real estate investor, and entrepreneur with experience across banking, wealth management, financial planning, public insurance adjusting, virtual assistant recruiting, and business acquisition. Ryan has started multiple businesses throughout his life, including a public adjusting company and a VA recruiting company that connects Filipino virtual assistants with U.S. businesses.

Connect with Ryan:

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes

"You're never going to have it all. If you have just enough, you'll figure everything else out." — Ryan James

"There's a million and one different ways you can structure a deal." — Ryan James

"Getting the reps in is important, but eventually you need to take that plunge." — Tim Delaney

In this solo episode, Tim explains working capital as current assets minus current liabilities, including cash, accounts receivable, inventory, vendor bills, credit card bills, and other short-term obligations. He also shares why running out of working capital can quickly put a buyer in trouble after closing, especially if vendors need to be paid before customers have paid the business.

Tim also discusses seasonality, vendor terms, industry differences, and the key question every buyer should ask a seller early in the process: what working capital target are you delivering at close, and how did you calculate it?

Tim T. Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 00:46] Why Working Capital Can Derail a Deal

[00:46 – 02:24] What Working Capital Actually Means

[02:24 – 03:40] Tim's Wine and Liquor Store Example

[03:40 – 05:09] Working Capital Pegs in Larger Acquisitions

[05:09 – 06:08] Seasonality and Month-to-Month Cash Needs

[06:08 – 07:26] AR, AP, and Smaller Asset Purchases

[07:26 – 09:13] Why Smaller Deals Still Need Working Capital

[09:13 – 11:27] Real Buyer Examples: Cash Shortages and Bank Requirements

[11:27 – 15:05] Industry Benchmarks and the Question to Ask Sellers

If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Tim and the community:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: @timtdelaney

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney

Facebook: facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes:

"Most buyers and sellers are initially so focused on the purchase price or sometimes the terms." — Tim T. Delaney

"Don't get caught off guard at closing." — Tim T, Delaney

"If you buy a business and you don't have enough working capital right from the start, you can easily be out of business in just weeks." - Tim Delaney

In this episode, Tim talks with Aubrey Fitzloff about how she went from a temp-to-hire administrative role at an insurance agency to becoming the owner of that same business. Aubrey shares how the original owner transitioned responsibilities to her over time, why the deal was built on trust and seller financing, and how she later used an SBA loan to make a balloon payment and buy out the remaining balance. They also get into the realities of buying an established insurance agency, valuing a book of business, putting a home up as collateral, paying down debt through business profits, building systems, hiring a team, and protecting a business through life and disability insurance.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 00:59] From Honeymoon to Business Ownership

[00:59 – 06:51] How Aubrey Found Her Way Into Insurance

[06:51 – 14:25] From Employee to Future Owner

[14:25 – 25:06] Seller Financing, SBA Loans, and Buying With No Cash Up Front

[25:06 – 33:23] Running and Growing Lifetime Insurance Agency

[33:23 – 45:40] Navigating the SBA Process and Loan Requirements

[45:40 – 52:54] What Buyers Should Look for in an Insurance Agency

[52:54 – 58:15] Systems, Warm Handoffs, and Business Owner Insurance Needs

[58:15 – 01:00:04] Protecting Employees With Disability Insurance

[01:00:04 – 01:03:25] Final Lessons and Where to Find Aubrey

Guest Bio

Aubrey Fitzloff is the owner of Lifetime Insurance Agency and the host of the Carolina Business Leadership Show. She began at the agency in a temp-to-hire administrative role, later became licensed for sales, and eventually purchased the business from the original owner through a relationship-based transition, seller financing, and an SBA loan. Today, Aubrey leads a growing insurance brokerage based in Columbia, South Carolina, serving clients across the Carolinas with health insurance, Medicare, long-term care, disability insurance, life insurance, and employee benefits.

Connect with Aubrey:

Instagram: instagram.com/aubreyefitzloff/

Facebook: facebook.com/aubreyefitzloff/

YouTube: music.youtube.com/podcast/5OjQirzUOZs

Website: ltins.com/

Threads: threads.com/@aubreyefitzloff

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aubreyfitzloff

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes

"He really wanted to make sure that I could actually run the business before he stepped away." — Aubrey Fitzloff

"If he had just wanted the highest price, I wasn't the right buyer for him." — Aubrey Fitzloff

"The trust and relationship you had built with the seller allowed you essentially to buy the business with none of your own cash up front." — Tim Delaney

In this episode, Tim talks with Alex Pardo about why self-storage can be a powerful business to buy, how he moved from corporate America into real estate, and why he eventually shifted into self-storage investing. Alex shares how he became "unemployable" after his first real estate deal, why a $51,000 loss became one of the best lessons of his career, and how paying for coaches, mentors, and the right rooms helped him avoid bigger mistakes over time. They also get into why self-storage is a business with the benefits of real estate, the importance of defining a clear buy box, building relationship capital, choosing the right market, and structuring deals creatively.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 00:12] Why Great Operators Can Still Fail in Bad Markets

[00:12 – 00:40] Meet Alex Pardo

[00:40 – 03:30] Why Self-Storage?

[03:30 – 04:44] Self-Storage as a Business With Real Estate Benefits

[04:44 – 07:02] From Corporate America to Real Estate

[07:02 – 10:23] Investing in Education and Learning From a $51,000 Loss

[10:23 – 13:16] Betting on Yourself Versus Relying on One Paycheck

[13:16 – 14:33] Building Ownership Without Being the Main Operator

[14:33 – 16:00] Why One Bad Deal Didn't Make Alex Quit

[16:00 – 18:28] The Myth of Passive Real Estate

[18:28 – 20:07] Paying for Proximity and the Right Mentor

[20:07 – 22:27] Accountability, Integrity, and Finally Doing the Work

[22:27 – 25:17] Defining a Clear Buy Box

[25:17 – 26:10] Relationship Capital and Follow-Up

[26:10 – 30:20] How Alex Found His First Self-Storage Facility

[30:20 – 31:11] Understanding Value-Add in Self-Storage

[31:11 – 35:00] Why Market Selection Matters

[35:00 – 39:24] Getting the First Deal Done and Building Credibility

[39:24 – 42:30] How One Deal Led to Another Nearby Facility

[42:30 – 49:30] Creative Deal Structure and Negotiation Lessons

[49:30 – 50:09] Don't Trip Over Dollars to Pick Up Pennies

[50:09 – 53:45] More Self-Storage Deal Lessons and Seller Financing

[53:45 – 55:00] Final Thoughts on Deal Flow and Taking Action

Guest Bio

Alex Pardo is a self-storage investor, coach, and podcast host. After starting his career in corporate America, he quickly realized he was wired to build something of his own. He began in real estate, closed his first deal in 2006, and later shifted into self-storage after seeing the opportunity to build a business with the benefits of real estate. Today, Alex owns multiple self-storage facilities, coaches other investors, and helps people understand how to find, evaluate, and operate self-storage deals with a focus on market selection, relationship capital, and long-term value creation.

Connect with Alex:

Instagram: instagram.com/alexpardo25 Facebook: facebook.com/alexpardo15 Website: storagewins.com / alexpardo.com YouTube: youtube.com/alexpardo

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes

"You can be the best operator in the country, but if I drop you into a bad market that has terrible demographics and the supply demand ratio is off, you're going to struggle." — Alex Pardo

"Storage is a business. So it's more of a business than it is an investment." — Alex Pardo

"Relationship capital is the most valuable capital you can raise." — Alex Pardo

In this solo episode, Tim breaks down why most buyers stall before closing. It's usually not because of deal flow, financing, or timing. More often, the real issue is internal: the buyer hasn't fully made the decision yet.

Tim shares three reasons buyers tend to hesitate, including waiting to "feel ready," trying to eliminate risk, and failing to make the identity shift from someone exploring business ownership to someone who is actually becoming a buyer.

Tim T. Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

00:00 – Why buyers stall before closing

00:56 – The common excuses buyers give

02:27 – Three reasons buyers don't feel ready

02:40 – Reason 1: Waiting to feel ready

03:53 – Why readiness is built through repetition

05:52 – Reason 2: Optimizing for certainty

06:38 – Why certainty doesn't exist in a job or a business

08:21 – Reason 3: The missing identity shift

09:33 – Exploring versus doing

11:01 – What breaks the pattern

11:08 – Forcing functions and the cost of waiting

12:42 – The risk of not buying a business

14:13 – Deal flow and getting the reps in

15:11 – The right room and the right people

17:10 – Why Tim created The Buyers' Table

17:25 – Pulling the trigger when the right deal comes along

18:46 – How the shift can happen for you

19:15 – The Buyers' Table call to action

If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Tim and the community:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: @timtdelaney

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney

Facebook: facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes:

"The real reason most buyers never close is that they haven't made a decision yet. And I'm not talking about the specific deal. I'm talking about themselves." — Tim T. Delaney

"Readiness isn't really a feeling. It's just kind of built through repetition." — Tim T, Delaney

"If you wait to feel like an owner until you've actually taken action, you've waited too long." - Tim Delaney

In this episode, Tim talks with Mike Wilson about how he went from a childhood shaped by financial instability, into the Air Force, then into law enforcement, and eventually into business ownership. Mike shares how he bought Blue Mint Thai using equity from his rental properties and a 0% owner-financed note, why he originally expected the restaurant to be a hands-off investment, and how the business grew from one location into four with franchise expansion underway. They also get into the realities of restaurant operations, bringing on investors, and building toward a larger eventual exit.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 00:22] Opportunity Doesn't Knock

[00:22 – 01:06] Meet Mike Wilson

[01:06 – 04:00] From Instability to Financial Independence

[04:00 – 09:00] Military, Real Estate, and Learning to Think Bigger

[09:00 – 14:45] Buying the Business He Already Knew

[14:45 – 18:02] Why the Deal Made Sense

[18:02 – 20:22] How Mike Bought the Restaurant

[20:22 – 22:22] From "Hands-Off" to Present Owner

[22:22 – 27:00] Early Operations and What He Changed

[27:00 – 30:40] Expansion, Franchising, and Doing Too Much at Once

[30:40 – 33:16] Burnout, Boundaries, and Masterminds

[33:16 – 36:00] The Texas Rangers Partnership and Relationship Capital

[36:00 – 39:28] Why He Brought in Investors

[39:28 – 41:43] Selling Equity and Building Toward an Exit

[41:43 – 42:45] Final Lessons From Buying and Growing a Restaurant

Guest Bio

Mike Wilson is an Air Force veteran, retired police detective, entrepreneur, and owner of Blue Mint Thai. He bought the restaurant after years of building trust with the business and its people, then expanded it from one location to four, with franchise growth and a larger exit strategy now in motion. His story blends blue-collar grit, real estate leverage, relationship-driven dealmaking, and a long-term push toward financial independence.

Connect with Mike:

www.bluemintrestaurant.com www.velocityinvestinggroup.com www.bluemintthaifranchising.com Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes

"Opportunity knocks is very misleading." — Tim Delaney

"There's capital, you need money to buy some stuff, but there's also relationship capital. And that is way more valuable than actual dollar capital." — Mike Wilson

"Listen to the experts." — Mike Wilson

In this episode, Tim T. Delaney sits down with Elvon Bowman to unpack how a military servicemember with no deep operating background in self-storage went from studying deals to buying a facility in Florida. Elvon shares how he and his wife first looked at multifamily, why he pivoted into self-storage, what he learned from walking away from an earlier deal, and how repeated analysis built the confidence to move on to a bigger opportunity. The conversation also covers creative financing, long-distance due diligence, passive investors, and the operational work required after closing to turn a first deal into a real business.

Tim is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 00:42] Meet Elvon Bowman

[00:42 – 01:50] From Military Service to Self-Storage

[01:50 – 04:48] Starting With Multifamily and Thinking Bigger

[04:48 – 10:57] The Deal He Didn't Do

[10:57 – 13:16] Why Self-Storage Became the Better Fit

[13:16 – 17:52] Finding the Facility and Negotiating the Numbers

[17:52 – 21:22] SBA Debt, Seller Financing, and Raising Capital

[21:22 – 24:56] Long-Distance Due Diligence and Secret Shopping

[24:56 – 37:11] Closing the Deal Without Having All the Cash Yourself

[37:11 – 40:36] Preparing to Operate Before Closing

[40:36 – 45:17] Early Operations and Returns

[45:17 – 50:35] Lessons Learned and Advice for New Buyers

Guest Bio

Elvon Bowman is a self-storage operator and entrepreneur from Dallas, Texas. While serving in the military, he began thinking seriously about what would come next and started exploring real estate with his wife. That process led him into self-storage, where he has focused on building through execution, systems, and disciplined deal-making rather than hype.

Connect with Elvon:

• Instagram: instagram.com/eb_theinvestor
• Facebook: facebook.com/people/Elvon-Bowman
• X: x.com/eb_theinvestor
• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCBqjmZ--y5jKfGyNcOGKfuQ
• Tiktok: tiktok.com/@eb_theinvestor
• Threads: threads.com/@eb_theinvestor
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elvonbowman

Connect with Tim and the community on social media for more tips and updates:

• Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtdelaney/
• Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes

"Sometimes the best deal you ever do is the one that you don't do." — Tim Delaney

"The more you look, the more you'll figure it out." — Tim Delaney

"After about a year of really kind of thinking through what real estate would be, we kind of found ourselves on self-storage." — Elvon Bowman

In this solo episode, Tim explains why buyers who focus only on price, terms, and financials often miss what actually drives a seller's decision. Using two personal examples: a pet store deal he did not close and the wine and liquor store he ultimately bought, Tim shows how seller motivations can include legacy, community relationships, customers, employees, vendors, and personal fit just as much as dollars. He then breaks down how buyers can better understand those motivations by asking better questions, showing curiosity about the people around the business, and being honest about who they are early in the process.

Tim T. Delaney is an entrepreneur who believes everyone should explore the opportunities that business and real estate can provide on the path to financial freedom. He owns and operates a wine & liquor store, a software startup, a consulting company, and a growing portfolio of commercial and residential real estate.

Tim's passion for independent business has led him to support dozens of other business owners. For over a decade, he has worked with businesses on strategy, processes, finances, and marketing. These experiences, along with analyzing dozens of other businesses for potential acquisition, have provided Tim with an immense knowledge base to pull from.

Tim has appeared on multiple top-tier podcasts in the financial space, such as Bigger Pockets Money and The Freedom Chasers Podcast.

[00:00 – 00:49] Sellers Are Evaluating You Too

[00:49 – 01:05] Intro

[01:05 – 02:20] Not Every Seller Wants the Same Thing

[02:20 – 03:14] Why Seller Motivation Matters in a Deal

[03:14 – 05:18] The Pet Store Deal That Didn't Fit

[05:18 – 08:24] What Helped Tim Buy the Wine and Liquor Store

[08:24 – 09:39] Why Buyers Miss Seller Motivation

[09:39 – 10:15] Step 1: Ask Better Questions

[10:15 – 11:02] Step 2: Get Curious About the People Around the Business

[11:02 – 11:59] Step 3: Be Honest About Who You Are

[11:59 – 13:40] Why Trust Makes Better Deals Possible

[13:40 – 13:47] Tim's Buyer Profile Resource

[20:29 – 21:39] Final Take: Don't Skip the LOI

If you found value in today's show, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you buy and grow a business that creates real financial freedom.

Connect with Tim and the community:

Website: https://www.powerofbiz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@powerofbiz

Instagram: @timtdelaney

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timtdelaney

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothytdelaney

Facebook: facebook.com/timtdelaney

Tweetable Quotes:

"What separated those experiences wasn't the price, it was whether I understood what the seller was actually looking for." — Tim T. Delaney

"Every seller has slightly different motivations as to why they're selling and to what they're looking for in a buyer." — Tim T, Delaney

"People want to work with people that they like, and they're going to be willing to do deals with people that they like." — Tim Delaney