David C Barnett Small Business and Deal Making M&A SMB

By David C BarnettBusiness

David C Barnett Small Business and Deal Making M&A SMB episodes

November 26, 2025 Why Every Business Owner Needs an Exit Plan (Before It’s Too Late)
2025 Black Friday Specials: https://www.investlocalbook.com/p/black-friday-2025.html
Find Exit Ready anytime at https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
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It’s the first snow of the season, and as I look ahead to the holidays, I want to talk about something that might make a great gift for yourself this year — an exit plan for Christmas.
Most business owners think “exit planning” just means selling their business.
In reality, selling is only one possible outcome.
True exit planning is about understanding your personal finances, your business readiness, and your options — long before you decide to sell.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/ZVgnxgRw-ls
Cheers,
David
#ExitPlanning #SmallBusiness #BusinessSelling #Entrepreneurship #BusinessExit #RetirementPlanning #BusinessBuyerAdvantage #DavidCBarnett #HowToSellMyOwnBusiness
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YouTube Chapters
00:00 – Intro
00:45 – What “Exit Plan for Christmas” Really Means
01:30 – The Confusion Between Selling and Exit Planning
03:00 – Why Most Owners Avoid Planning (and Pay for It Later)
04:45 – Inside the “Exit Ready” Program
06:00 – The 7 Stages of Exit Planning Explained
08:30 – How to Assess Your Personal and Business Readiness
10:20 – The Tools and AI-Powered Resources Included
13:00 – The Mistake of Waiting Too Long to Prepare
15:20 – Real Examples from Business Owners Who Waited
17:00 – How ALP’s Team Can Help You Get Exit Ready
18:30 – Why Planning Early Gives You Control and Confidence
20:00 – Holiday Offer: Black Friday Bonus and Savings
21:30 – Your Exit Plan Is the Best Gift You Can Give Yourself
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- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com
30 min
November 24, 2025 LIVE- Grow by Selling to Big Companies with Andrew Hulbert
Grow by selling to big companies
New Livestream guest- Andrew Hulbert
I’m happy to have Andrew join me on a live broadcast.
Andrew grew a startup facilities management company into a £50M sales company and then sold it to Private Equity for Kaboodles of coin.
Tune in and as we’ll be discussing how he chose his market and how he was able to grow selling to large companies.
TIP- it had to do with the terms of sale and his cash conversion cycle.
This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone who is thinking of growing a business and hasn’t realized that growth costs money.
Find Andrew online at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhulbert/
Sign up for my email list at https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
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- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com
51 min
November 12, 2025 Big Updates: Buyer Insights, Holiday Chats & New Exit Program
**Sign up for a Holiday Chat call here: https://calendly.com/dbarnett/2025-holiday-chatsecretcode
**The Austin, TX and Vancouver, BC events are here: https://www.BusinesBuyerBoardroom.com
**Learn more about the Group Coaching program: https://www.BusinessBuyerAdventure.com
***New Video Alert!
This week, I’m sharing a mix of important updates, lessons, and announcements from the Business Buyer Advantage community — plus a look at what’s new here this fall.
We’ll talk about:
The return of Holiday Chat 2025 (and how to book your spot before they sell out)
What’s been happening inside the Business Buyer Advantage Group Coaching Program
Key takeaways from recent buyer conversations on seller financing, rollover equity, and earn-outs
The launch of Exit Ready — my brand-new online program for owners planning their exit
Details on the Business Buyer Boardroom pilot events coming to Austin and Vancouver this January
And yes — Black Friday deals are coming soon (email subscribers always hear first)
It’s a busy season, but an exciting one. If you’re buying or selling a business — or planning your next move — you’ll want to catch this one.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/PxqpnuJ-i3M
Cheers,
David
#SmallBusiness #BuyASmallBusiness #BusinessBuyerAdvantage #ExitReady #Entrepreneurship #BusinessCoaching #DavidCBarnett
***
YouTube Chapters
00:00 – Intro:
01:20 – What’s New for Fall 2025
02:15 – Holiday Chat 2025: How It Works & How to Join
07:00 – Lessons from Past Holiday Chat Calls
10:30 – The Importance of Joining the Email List
12:15 – The Business Fortress Audio Book Is Now Available
13:40 – Live Mastermind Events: Austin, TX & Vancouver, BC
16:30 – What the Business Buyer Boardroom Is All About
18:20 – Black Friday Deals Preview
19:45 – Introducing Exit Ready: A Complete Exit Planning Program
25:10 – Tools and Strategies Inside Exit Ready
28:00 – Insights from the Group Coaching Program
30:10 – Equity Deals & Seller Skin in the Game
33:25 – Buyer Transitions, Seller Notes & Earn-Outs
36:40 – Handling Valuation Gaps & Seller Expectations
40:00 – Why Understanding the Buyer’s Journey Matters
43:00 – Wrapping Up & Upcoming Projects
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- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com
24 min
November 05, 2025 Business Broker Fails: How Bad CIMs Kill Deals
• “Is the Inventory Added or Included in the Price of a Business?” video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6L_dS2gRYs
• LIVE: Neal Isaacs — Seller Journeys with Business Brokers” https://www.youtube.com/live/-7vt5Ef-9i8
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This week, I’m digging into one of the most common frustrations I hear from business buyers — poorly prepared CIMs and business profiles.
If you’ve ever tried to review a deal only to find missing financials, no balance sheet, or vague “adjusted income” numbers that make no sense… you’ll want to watch this one.
In this video, I break down the top errors business brokers make when preparing CIMs, including:
-Missing balance sheets and working capital details
-No asset list or equipment valuation
-Sloppy or missing normalization adjustments
-And why not accounting for the owner’s time completely skews earnings
Whether you’re a buyer trying to make sense of bad info or a seller who wants to present your business properly, this will help you understand what a real, professional SIM should look like.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/bKu7n20H750
#BusinessBroker #BuyASmallBusiness #SellYourBusiness #BusinessProfile #SIM #BusinessValuation #Entrepreneurship #DavidCBarnett
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YouTube Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:25 – What a SIM (Confidential Information Memorandum) Should Be
04:15 – Mistake #1: No Balance Sheet or Working Capital Info
08:30 – Mistake #2: Missing Asset List or Equipment Values
12:40 – Mistake #3: Poor or Missing Normalization Adjustments
18:00 – Mistake #4: No Account of the Owner’s Time or Role
22:20 – Why These Gaps Waste Everyone’s Time
25:15 – How Proper CIMs Help Sellers and Buyers
28:00 – Why My Team Builds Complete Business Profiles for Clients
30:45 – Final Thoughts & How to Prepare the Right Way
#BusinessBroker #BusinessProfile #SIM #BuyASmallBusiness #SellYourBusiness #BusinessValuation #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessDeals #SMB #DavidCBarnett
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- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com
18 min
October 30, 2025 Don't Buy Business Notes with David Barnett
Thinking of diversifying into business note investing? This ain't your grandma's real estate note. David Barnett joins us to expose the real risks of buying paper backed by businesses.
Forget passive income dreams; this is a hands-on (or hands-off-and-lose-everything) game. Buckle up, buttercup, because we're diving headfirst into the due diligence disasters and non-compete nightmares that await the unsuspecting note investor.
We're serving up a healthy dose of reality – this episode will have you questioning every "opportunity" landing in your inbox.
46 min
October 29, 2025 Before You Hire a Business Broker—Watch This!
o “Dealing with Business Brokers” – https://youtu.be/P0maeylhvi8
o “Are Business Broker’s Valuations Reliable?” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQACN_PRIjQ
o “What Can Brokers Say to Get Listings?” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZMpC3kLpRc
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This week, I’m answering a great question from a viewer named David who wanted to understand the real relationship between business brokers and business owners—and why so many buyers end up frustrated dealing with them.
I’m breaking down:
*How business brokers actually get paid (and why it matters to you)
*Why some brokers chase listings instead of real deals
*What separates professionals from amateurs in the brokerage world
*How to tell if a broker is really working in your best interest
*What business owners need to know before ever signing a listing agreement
I’ve been on both sides of this. I’ve worked as a broker, I’ve worked with buyers, and I’ve helped owners sell privately. I’ll show you how the incentives really line up—and what you can do to protect yourself whether you’re buying or selling.
👉 Learn more at BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com and DavidCBarnett.com
#BusinessBroker #BuyASmallBusiness #SellYourBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessDeals #DavidCBarnett
***
YouTube Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:20 – Viewer Question: What Do Brokers Actually Do?
03:00 – How Business Brokers Get Paid (Commissions & Fees)
07:15 – Engagement Fees, Marketing Fees, and Monthly Retainers
10:30 – How Competition Affects Broker Fees
12:40 – The “List Everything” Rookie Mistake
15:50 – Real Estate vs. Business Brokerage: Why They’re Not the Same
18:10 – The Candy Store Analogy: Selling What People Actually Want
21:30 – Professional Brokers vs. Listing Collectors
26:00 – How to Spot a Broker Who’s Out of Their Depth
29:15 – The Problem with Brokers Who Block Buyer–Seller Contact
33:00 – Why Trust Is Everything in a Deal
36:10 – What Smart Sellers Should Look for in a Broker
40:20 – Reputation, Experience, and Red Flags to Watch For
44:10 – Final Thoughts & How to Find the Right Broker
#BusinessBroker #BuyASmallBusiness #SellYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessBuying #BusinessSelling #BusinessDeals #SmallBusiness #DavidCBarnett
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- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com
21 min
October 27, 2025 Get the most from the online review game with minimal effort
New Livestream guest- George Swetlitz from Right Response AI
I’m happy to have George join me on a live broadcast.
George understands the world of online advertising and has lead real world business rollups that depended on local advertising.
Tune in and as we’ll be discussing online reviews and how it is crucial in getting customers from platforms such as Google Maps.
This is a ‘must see event’ for anyone who does business with customers.
Be sure to join live so that you can ask questions, replay will be available.
Find George online at http://rightresponseai.com/podcasts/barnett
Holiday Chat 2025 slots are now open https://calendly.com/dbarnett/2025-holiday-chatsecretcode
January 2026- I'm coming to Vancouver, BC and Austin, TX. Join me for a Business Buyer Boardroom mastermind session. https://www.BusinessBuyerBoardroom.com
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- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com
54 min
October 22, 2025 Top 5 Biggest Mistakes when trying to sell a business
***New Video Alert!
Thinking about selling your small business now or maybe a few years down the road?
In this week’s video, I’m breaking down the top five mistakes that quietly destroy business sales before they ever reach the finish line.
We’ll talk about why sloppy books kill credibility with buyers and banks, how a “you-dependent” business scares off deals, and why waiting too long to prepare might mean missing your best shot at selling.
Whether you’re planning to sell soon or someday, this one will help you see your business through a buyer’s eyes and avoid the traps that make good companies unsellable.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/V-63WwII-TI
Talk soon,
David C. Barnett
****
- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com
27 min
October 15, 2025 The Surprising Truth About Investing in Golf Courses
Have you ever wondered if golf courses actually make money — or if they’re just expensive pieces of land?
In this video, I answers a viewer’s question about owning and selling a golf course, exploring how property value and business profit interact in the real world.
From public and private courses to banquet operations and land development, you’ll learn what really drives value in this unique industry.
What you’ll learn in this video:
* Are golf courses profitable businesses or just land investments?
* The difference between selling property and selling profit
* How weather, seasonality, and debt affect golf course margins
* Why private clubs and government courses skew the market
* When land value exceeds business value — and what that means for owners
* How to plan your exit or sale if you own a golf course
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:00 Viewer Question: Property vs. Profit
05:00 Understanding the Golf Course Business Model
07:30 Industry Size & Revenue Breakdown
10:00 Weather, Margins & Seasonality
12:40 Importance of Bars, Catering & Events
15:30 Story: The Failed Investor-Owned Golf Course
19:00 Public vs. Private vs. Government-Owned Courses
23:00 Why Some Golf Courses Lose Money
26:00 Property vs. Profit | What Are You Really Selling?
30:00 How to Value a Golf Course (EBITDA Multiples)
34:00 Real Case Study | Hidden Subsidies & Overhead
38:00 Golf Courses as Land Banks | Myth or Strategy?
42:00 Developer Example | When the Bank Owns the Course
46:00 Seasonality | North vs. South Economics
50:00 Key Takeaways for Golf Course Owners
54:00 Profit, Property & Exit Planning
58:00 Why Passion Can Mislead Golf Investors
01:02:00 Advice for Owners Near Retirement
01:06:00 How to Find Out What Your Golf Course Is Worth
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****
- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com
35 min
October 08, 2025 Why Goodwill Matters When Buying & selling Business
***New Video Alert!
Everyone loves a bit of good cheer, but what exactly is Goodwill?
This week, some basic terminology and how it’s often misused when people are talking about buying and selling businesses.
Check it out in this week’s new video: https://youtu.be/p_F_OJt-iLY
Cheers
See you over on YouTube
David C Barnett
#smallbusiness #mergersandacquisitions #M&A
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In this episode, I will breaks down what goodwill actually is — from its accounting definition to its real-world meaning in business valuation. You’ll learn how goodwill impacts deal structure, financial statements, and sale prices, plus how to figure out where the goodwill actually resides in a company.
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:30 Definition of Goodwill | Accounting vs. Colloquial
04:20 Why Goodwill Exists in Business Valuation
06:30 When a Business Has No Real Goodwill
09:00 Asset Value vs. Business Value Explained
12:15 Example | Goodwill on a Balance Sheet
15:30 How Goodwill Appears in Financial Statements
18:00 When Sellers Overvalue “Goodwill”
21:00 Understanding the Locus of Goodwill
23:30 Goodwill in the Owner
25:45 Goodwill in the Brand or Business
28:30 Goodwill in the Location
31:00 Risks of Non-Transferable Goodwill for Buyers
33:45 Tools to Analyze Goodwill (Locus Calculator)
36:00 Recap | When Goodwill Really Has Value
38:00 How ALP Helps Buyers Analyze Deals
40:00 Final Thoughts & BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
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#GoodwillInBusiness #BusinessValuation #BuyingABusiness #SellingABusiness #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessAcquisition #BusinessBuyerAdvantage #BusinessFinance #BusinessDeals #BusinessStrategy #DavidCBarnett
****
- Join David's email list so you never miss any new videos or important information or insights, RECEIVE 7 FREE GIFTS!!- https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com
****
Do Business with David using these incredible internet links...
- David's Blog where you can find hundreds of free videos and articles, https://www.DavidCBarnett.com
- Book a call with David and let him help you with your project, https://www.CallDavidBarnett.com
- Learn how to buy a successful and profitable business in a risk-controlled way https://www.BusinessBuyerAdvantage.com
- Get help selling your business, https://www.HowToSellMyOwnBusiness.com
- Get better organized in your business, https://www.EasySmallBizSystems.com
- Learn to make better cash flow forecasts and write incredibly effective business plans from scratch!, https://www.BizPlanSchool.com
- Learn to build an equity asset with insurance! visit https://www.NewBankingSolution.com
-Did you sign up for an expensive Merchant Cash Advance for your business and now struggle to make the payments? Find out how you can negotiate your way out at https://www.EndMyMCA.com
17 min