Business Buying Strategies from The Dealmaker's Academy

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan Jay discusses the importance of proper education and mentorship in business acquisitions.

He introduces the Mastermind 2025 program for serious business buyers and highlights upcoming events in Australia and the UK. Jonathan emphasises the value of combining online and face-to-face learning experiences and the importance of collaboration over competition in acquisition endeavours.

He shares insights on avoiding common mistakes when buying a business, the importance of deal flow, and how to fund acquisitions without personal financial risks.

Jonathan also explains the use of special purpose vehicles for liability protection and underscores the value of being part of a supportive mastermind community.

Key moments

01:23 Upcoming Events and Opportunities

02:21 Introduction to This Week's Episode

03:21 The Importance of Practical Experience

04:36 Minimizing Mistakes in Business Acquisition

05:25 The Benefits of Proper Guidance

06:57 Online vs. Face-to-Face Training

08:05 The Value of Live Events and Networking

11:29 The Complete Business Buying System

14:02 Common Misconceptions in Business Buying

21:04 The Importance of Deal Flow

23:11 Protecting Yourself in Business Acquisitions

 

** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! **

If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Here’s how you can start your business buying journey…

Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit

Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast

Already bought a business?

if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan talks with Jamil about what happened following his acquisition of a fire door and safety business with a revenue of 4.5 million.

Jamil discusses the challenges faced immediately after the acquisition, including unexpected operational issues and restructuring tasks. He shares insights on implementing growth strategies, optimising operations through technology, and improving business processes.

Jamil highlights the importance of focusing on people, processing, and technology to enhance business efficiency. As he continues his buy-and-build strategy in the fire safety sector, Jamil emphasises the potential for significant returns from this approach and shares his future plans, including further acquisitions and potentially collaborating with private equity for expanded growth.

Key moments

02:21 Recap of Jamil's First Acquisition

02:46 Challenges and Discoveries Post-Acquisition

05:02 Implementing Growth Strategies

06:19 Operational Improvements and Staff Changes

14:06 Future Plans and Acquisitions

22:33 Advice for Aspiring Business Buyers

24:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

 

** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! **

If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Here’s how you can start your business buying journey…

Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit

Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast

Already bought a business?

if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jamil shares his journey from a career as a paramedic to owning a $4.5 million revenue business without using his own money.

He explains his decision to leave a lucrative corporate career to pursue business acquisitions, detailing his process of selecting and acquiring a business in the fire safety sector, which is recession-resistant and ripe for innovation.

Jamil describes the negotiations and the structuring of the deal that involved retaining some equity for the sellers. He also discusses the importance of joining Mastermind for guidance and networking, ultimately emphasising the value of investing in self-education for successful business acquisitions.

Key moments

01:03 Upcoming Events and Opportunities

02:10 Meet Jamil: A Successful Acquisition Story

03:00 Jamil's Background and Journey

09:30 Choosing the Right Business Sector

13:19 The Acquisition Process

22:58 Negotiating the Deal Structure

23:48 Justifying Personal Investment

24:58 Finalizing the Agreement

26:19 The Importance of Immediate Action

28:10 Reflecting on the Journey

29:01 Navigating Deal Changes

32:39 Securing Financing

37:41 Completion Day Challenges

39:27 Post-Completion Reflections

39:47 The Value of Mastermind

 

** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! **

If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Here’s how you can start your business buying journey…

Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit

Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast

Already bought a business?

if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan continues his discussion with Cara as she shares her experience of expanding her salon business from a few part-time staff to a seven-location enterprise.

Cara discusses the challenges faced post-acquisition, including managing staff behaviour, implementing new management structures, and overcoming initial cash flow issues. She emphasises the importance of having a solid company structure, HR, and finance management to ensure smooth operations.

Cara also highlights the benefits of rapid business growth through acquisitions, allowing her to reduce the financial stresses of organic growth. Finally, she encourages listeners to consider joining the Mastermind program, attributing her success partly to the structured guidance it offers.

Key moments

01:03 Upcoming Events and Opportunities

01:44 Cara's Business Journey: Part 2

02:51 Post-Acquisition Challenges

04:51 Implementing Management and HR Solutions

07:02 Financial Management and Centralization

21:35 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

24:59 The Value of Mastermind Program

27:01 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

 

** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! **

If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Here’s how you can start your business buying journey…

Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit

Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast

Already bought a business?

if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan Jay talks with Cara, a successful student of his Mastermind program. Initially owning a single beauty salon with an annual revenue of £150,000, Cara expanded to seven salons with a revenue of £1.3 million in just over a year.

Cara shares her journey of buying businesses without hefty initial investments, her strategy for growth, and the personal transformation she underwent through the process.

The discussion highlights key insights into negotiating deals, leveraging marketing strategies, and navigating the challenges of business expansion. Cara emphasizes the significance of mindset, strategic planning, and the network benefits provided by the Mastermind group in achieving business success.

Key moments

01:23 Upcoming Events and Opportunities

02:21 Introducing Cara's Success Story

02:41 Cara's Journey: From One Salon to Seven

04:56 The First Deal: No Money Down

10:05 Challenges and Growth in Business Acquisition

15:35 Transition to Delegation

16:16 Personal Growth and Leadership

18:55 Future Plans and Ambitions

19:40 Mindset and Overcoming Doubts

21:32 The Power of Networking

24:06 Evolving Deal-Making Skills

28:37 Facing Challenges and Staying Resilient

29:38 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

 

** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! **

If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Here’s how you can start your business buying journey…

Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit

Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast

Already bought a business?

if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, Jonathan talks with Steven about the complexities and challenges faced after acquiring businesses. Topics include cultural integration, logistical challenges, management of cash flow, and the importance of consolidating back-office functions like HR and finance.

Steven also shares his experiences dealing with change management, maintaining personnel trust, and managing cultural differences across acquired companies. They discuss the future goals for the businesses and the strategies used for growth and eventual exit plans. 

Key moments

01:03 Upcoming Events and Opportunities

01:45 Introduction to Stephen's Journey

02:04 Challenges of Business Integration

03:08 Stephen's Onboarding Experience

04:11 Managing Bank Accounts and Cashflow

07:58 Consolidating Finances and HR

10:38 Insights from Private Equity

20:38 Dealing with Cultural Differences

22:45 Stephen's Personal Involvement and Future Vision

25:56 Is It All Worth It?

 

** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! **

If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Here’s how you can start your business buying journey…

Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit

Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast

Already bought a business?

if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan introduces listeners to Steven, a Mastermind member focused on digital marketing acquisitions. Celebrating 25 years since Jonathan's first M&A deal, the episode offers insights into Steven’s journey of acquiring and managing businesses from abroad. 

With discussions on negotiation tactics, managing distressed companies, and the importance of deal flow, Steven shares his learnings and experiences in acquiring functional creative agencies and the intricacies of navigating acquisition challenges and successes.

Remember to take advantage of Jonathan's free business buying toolkit, which is available on our website, and learn the significance of doing deals with the right support and mindset.

Key moments

01:03 Upcoming Events and Mastermind Enrollment

01:47 Meet Steven: Building a Group of Digital Marketing Companies

02:28 Steven's Acquisition Journey: From First Deal to Today

03:59 Challenges of Running Businesses Remotely

05:58 Joining Mastermind and Networking Benefits

07:38 First Conversations and Learning Curves

12:09 Navigating Distressed Acquisitions

18:30 Challenges and Successes in Business Acquisition

18:50 Smooth Sailing with Recent Deals

19:33 The Importance of Experience and Alignment

20:39 Current Deal Flow and Future Plans

20:55 Negotiating Price and Terms

23:13 The Dealmakers Process: Phone vs. Zoom

26:12 Deciding Price and Managing Expectations

31:52 The Importance of Knowledge and Structured Approach

36:08 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

37:06 Conclusion and Resources

 

** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! **

If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Here’s how you can start your business buying journey…

Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit

Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast

Already bought a business?

if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan and Ed discuss the advantages of using external financing for business acquisitions instead of personal funds, and why you should never risk personal assets.   They discuss strategies for using other people's money through diverse funding sources, challenging the broker narrative that necessitates being a cash buyer.   Rob from Canada shares his experience pivoting from British food shops to acquiring coffee shops, emphasising the importance of having a strategy and being confident in the buying process.   Jonathan also provides insights into choosing the right size and location for a first business acquisition, advocating for larger, locally-based businesses with established management structures.   Key moments 01:26 Why You Shouldn't Use Personal Finance for Business Acquisitions 04:30 Financing Business Acquisitions with Other People's Money 08:21 Refinancing and Restructuring Business Deals 10:49 Interview with Rob from Canada: Switching to Coffee Shops 23:00 Determining the Right Size for Your First Business Acquisition  

** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! **

If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Here’s how you can start your business buying journey…

Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit

Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast

Already bought a business?

if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan discusses the critical difference between buying a business and merely buying a job. We conclude the discussion about the psychology and expectations of both buyers and sellers, featuring insights on maintaining a strategic mindset to avoid becoming trapped in day-to-day operations.   Jonathan emphasises the importance of acquiring businesses that are large enough to support management, thus allowing buyers to focus on growth rather than operations. The conversation also touches on practical considerations such as ensuring cash flow and understanding the true financial health of a business.   Jonathan is joined by an experienced accountant, Johan, who offers advice on sense-checking potential acquisitions, highlighting the importance of cash flow over profit figures. Johan also shares practical tips for using modern accounting systems to facilitate smoother due diligence processes.   Key moments   01:32 Avoiding the Trap of Buying a Job 03:35 The Importance of Management in Business Acquisition 06:52 Mindset and Strategy for Successful Deal Making 11:44 Psychology and Expectations of Buyers and Sellers 15:35 Building Confidence and Control in Negotiations 22:28 Understanding the Business Sales Process 25:48 The Role of Accountants in Business Acquisition  

** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! **

If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Here’s how you can start your business buying journey…

Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit

Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast

Already bought a business?

if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan delves into the psychology and expectations of both buyers and sellers in the business acquisition process. He emphasises the importance of having a structured system and understanding the emotional dynamics at play.   The episode also features insights from Andrew, who scaled his business by acquiring five others and discusses best practices for managing acquisitions. The discussion also highlights the critical post-acquisition phase, detailing strategies for smooth transitions and maintaining business value.   Key moments   01:36 Understanding Buyer and Seller Psychology 02:44 Emotions in Business Deals 04:21 Seller's Fears and Hopes 06:03 Buyer's Fears and Hopes 06:47 Motivations Behind Business Sales 13:16 Andrew's Acquisition Journey 15:48 The Importance of Deal Flow 24:14 Post-Acquisition Challenges  

** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! **

If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Here’s how you can start your business buying journey…

Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit

Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast

Already bought a business?

if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.