Acquiring Minds

Buying a 45-Year-Old Industry Pioneer


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After a successful military career, Don Gourley saw buying a business as the best means to "lead a unit" as a civilian. 

Topics in Don’s interview:

  • Having a “plan Z” as a searcher
  • Importance of being crystal clear about what you want to buy
  • His rigorous approach to a geographic search
  • How to recruit & manage 10+ interns
  • Cultivating brokers
  • About Boston Tree Preservation
  • Digital transformation — is it actually that valuable?
  • How to take over from a founder-visionary
  • Why buying a business is such a good fit for veterans
  • Having the seller pay for the Q of E

References and how to contact Don:

  • [email protected]
  • LinkedIn
  • Boston Tree Preservation
  • Peter Wild, the seller of the business
  • Carlos Laconi, the GM when the business sold

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
...more
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Acquiring MindsBy Will Smith

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