Acquiring Minds

How a First-Timer Did a Turnaround (Including an Exit)


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Ben Rizzo bought an unprofitable, 4th-generation elevator business then stabilized, doubled, and sold it within 2 years. 

Topics in Ben’s interview:

  • His wife-funded search in Pittsburgh
  • Sourcing deals through lawyers and accountants vs brokers
  • Acquiring an elevator repair business in distress
  • Quickly making changes after transition
  • Pouring his own money into the company to stay operational
  • Surviving the challenges of Covid
  • Doubling the business and selling to private equity
  • Calculating the risk of buying a turnaround
  • Buying a healthy business for his next venture
  • Competing with private equity for acquisitions

References and how to contact Ben:

  • Hartwood Point
  • LinkedIn

Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

  • The Acquisition Lab

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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