Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. Learn how to buy a business from the entrepreneurs who have already done it. 2x per week: stories, insights, & valuable advice about acquisition entrepreneurship. Hosted by Will Smith, who is on his own path to acquire a business. Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds Sign up for episode summaries at: https://acquiringminds.co
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Sep 28, 2026 · 1:28:26
Jack Rauch left politics for a niche Florida business no bank would finance. He's doubled revenue twice since. Register for the webinar: Sizing an SBA Loan to the Cash Flow -…
Sep 24, 2026 · 1:30:04
Kyle Holmes spent 8 years running Quail Ridge for its investor owners. Then they asked if he wanted to buy it. Register for the webinars: Protect the Business: How to Diligence…
Sep 21, 2026 · 1:30:52
Manolo Diaz Corrada came home to Puerto Rico to build for decades and keep the wealth from leaving the island. Register for the webinars: Working Capital: What Buyers Need to…
Sep 17, 2026 · 1:11:46
Morli Desai bought an e-commerce brand with an SBA loan. Three years later: liquidation, Chapter 11, and gratitude. Register for the webinars: Equity Financing: From SBA Deals to…
Sep 14, 2026 · 1:31:56
Rob Brooks bought a $1.9m Sarasota HVAC shop, then ignored the advice to wait 90 days before changing it. Register for the webinar: Equity Financing: From SBA Deals to…
Sep 10, 2026 · 1:07:22
Adam Whelchel paid himself instead of the IRS, putting $35k down on an escape room doing $365k with room to grow. Register for the webinar: The Deal I Almost Bought (And Why I…
Sep 7, 2026 · 1:23:01
Mike Bourgeois bought an HVAC company bleeding $3m a year, all cash and no SBA, then cut $1.4m of costs in 2 weeks. Register for the webinar: The Deal I Almost Bought (And Why I…
Sep 3, 2026 · 1:45:04
Sujith Shankar left 25 years in corporate to buy cash-flowing businesses: a $1.2m repair shop and a $2m body shop. Topics in Sujith interview: How Rivian layoffs changed…
Aug 31, 2026 · 1:43:18
Courtney and Jonathan Dunn bought a fast-growing SaaS at 3-4x ARR, doubled it, then merged for a life-changing exit. Register for the webinar: Architecture of an Entrepreneurial…
Aug 27, 2026 · 1:58:05
Andrew Sova and Alex Clark revived sales at a 40-year-old sign manufacturer, the first acquisition of their holdco. Register for the webinars: New SBA Rules: What Business Buyers…
Aug 24, 2026 · 1:18:12
Jeff Homer returns with an update: revenue past $100m, a new dance division, and 50% growth expected this year. Register for the webinars: Licenses & Regulatory Issues When…
Aug 20, 2026 · 1:01:52
Neil Finneran returns 3 years after buying a business so small it barely paid him a salary — now on pace for $800k. Register for the webinars: Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason…
Aug 17, 2026 · 59:18
Jesse Sunquist put a GM in charge and stepped back to 5 hours a week — proud of the experience, restless about the outcome. Register for the webinar: Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason…
Aug 13, 2026 · 1:09:24
Greyson Boerner traded startup life for a 28-year-old niche business — now on pace to grow revenue 50% in year one. Register for the webinar: Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason…
Aug 10, 2026 · 1:09:04
Chibunna Chimezie's seller left $15k in the account. His post-acquisition liquidity is the only reason he made it. Register for the webinar: Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason…
Aug 6, 2026 · 1:22:56
Randy Rempp turned around a $17m insurance business as a rookie CEO, then used that track record to raise a search fund. Register for the webinar: The 3 Paths to Franchising for…
Aug 3, 2026 · 1:36:29
Gabriel Cruz Avila bought a $1.4M remodeling business, weathered a divorce and burnout, then sold it two years later. Register for the webinar: The 3 Paths to Franchising for…
Jul 30, 2026 · 1:34:37
Edgar Galindo and his partner bought 2 businesses with SBA loans. Now he's facing the consequences of shuttering both. Topics in Edgar’s interview: Construction background in his…
Jul 27, 2026 · 1:49:51
Raj Mahajan bought a salon software business, tripled it to $11M ARR. Then his biggest customer launched a competitor. Register for the webinar: Tax Issues: Entity and Deal…
Jul 23, 2026 · 1:38:02
Patrick Beal left tech to buy an HVAC business with 90% seller financing, no SBA. He's on track to hit $3.5m this year. Register for the webinar: Working Capital: One of ETA’s…
Jul 20, 2026 · 1:16:04
Brian Jungles bought a $400k direct mail business in Atlanta and skipped SBA by pledging his portfolio as collateral. Register for the webinars: Don't Rush: How to Prepare for a…
Jul 16, 2026 · 1:22:21
Rob Belk networked his way to "the most caffeinated guy in town" searching for a local business — then found it online. Register for the webinars: From Working IN the Business to…
Jul 13, 2026 · 1:30:12
Chris Farkas endured a 7-week fetal position moment when he finally found a website bug that had cost him $500k in sales. Register for the webinar: From Working IN the Business…
Jul 9, 2026 · 1:27:51
After 25 years in corporate, Gina Rosen bought a jewelry wholesaling business with $635k in sales — now on track to $1m. Register for the webinar: Finance Essentials Before You…
Jul 6, 2026 · 1:26:41
Buying a metal fabricator with $1m in earnings pivoted Paul Callahan into the new entrepreneurial chapter of his career. Register for the webinar: Finance Essentials Before You…
Jul 2, 2026 · 1:23:54
Jeff Homer bought a small local music school as a fun side hustle. It turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime. Topics in Jeff interview: Switching from high finance to…
Jun 29, 2026 · 1:36:15
Caleb Standafer believed in manufacturing and wanted to spend his career there. A multi-year pivot and ETA got him in. Topics in Caleb’s interview: Moving from tech to…
Jun 25, 2026 · 1:23:50
Ned Tomasevic navigated an early crisis then grew EBITDA to $6m and exited at over 8x, four turns higher than he'd paid. Register for the webinar: Transferable Skills: Crafting…
Jun 22, 2026 · 1:25:43
Dominick Smith left a lucrative track in PE to pursue a path that offered more meaning. Buying a business has delivered. Register for the webinars: Overcoming Common Deal…
Jun 18, 2026 · 1:38:10
When the owner refused a seller note in the $6m transaction to sell his business, Tom McCormick had to get creative. Register for the webinar: Understanding a Quality of Earnings…
Jun 15, 2026 · 1:49:05
Despite his love of operations, Himmat Singh intended to own his acquisition passively. Then the lead sales guy quit. Register for the webinar: Understanding a Quality of…
Jun 11, 2026 · 1:31:05
When Alan Turkus found a business with a mission, he knew he'd found the right fit for the final chapter of his career. Topics in Alan’s interview: Background in book publishing…
Jun 8, 2026 · 1:11:07
Brendan Burdette and Ryan Conner have launched personal guarantee insurance to enable more — and stronger — SBA buyers. Register for the webinar: Score It or Skip It: A Framework…
Jun 4, 2026 · 1:25:23
Greg Shapiro & Zach Cooper-Vastola are building a long-term, compounding business they see as the anti-PE of the trades. Register for the webinar: Franchising for the ETA Buyer:…
Jun 1, 2026 · 1:46:10
The first business Joe Wechsler bought had $280k of SDE. Seven years later, he runs a fund with $50m of buying power. Register for the webinar: Franchising for the ETA Buyer:…
May 28, 2026 · 1:23:05
As a South African in the US, Justus Luttig had to get creative to search then buy 2 trades businesses at the same time. Register for the webinar: New $10m Limit for SBA Loans:…
May 25, 2026 · 1:33:33
David Graf went after a business that had sat on the market, acquiring $750k of EBITDA for 2.7x. It's going well. Register for the webinars: Negotiating Working Capital in SMB…
May 21, 2026 · 1:55:48
Truc Nguyen has acquired 2 nail salons, an overlooked but fragmented industry where businesses trade at low multiples. Register for the webinar: Negotiating Working Capital in…
May 18, 2026 · 1:49:57
Gant Elmore and Matt Moldenhauer each bought $2m businesses they built over years. Today their holdco does over $200m. Register for the webinar: Revenue Recognition & Quality of…
May 14, 2026 · 1:24:52
Zack Mutnik thought he bought a $1.5m electrical contracting business for 2.3x. The numbers weren't what they seemed. Register for the webinar: Kill It Early: Spot Red Flags…
May 11, 2026 · 1:17:16
Alicia Powers wanted to buy a general contractor but understood the risks in such businesses and negotiated accordingly. Register for the webinar: Kill It Early: Spot Red Flags…
May 7, 2026 · 1:23:53
Brendan Duebner's goal is to build a healthy, long-term business of 20-40 people. Buying a $1.2m MSP was his first step. Topics in Brendan’s interview: Learning to lead in the…
May 4, 2026 · 1:05:55
Andrew Blazenko has made 6 acquisitions over the last ten years. Pairing businesses with operators is key to his model. Topics in Andrew’s interview: Background as a business…
Apr 30, 2026 · 1:53:21
Dan Burnside thought he got a great deal on an $800k SDE business. Instead he'd bought bad faith and years of struggle. Register for the webinar: Add-Ons and Carve-Outs: How to…
Apr 27, 2026 · 1:56:07
Jeff Flannery is a great example of how franchising complements ETA, having rolled up 17 units since starting in 2019. Register for the webinars: Advanced Deal Mechanics: NWC,…
Apr 23, 2026 · 1:08:11
Nicolás Lulli bought a document storage business in Peru. 6 years later, it is a $25m leader in the Andean region. Register for the webinar: Advanced Deal Mechanics: NWC, Net…
Apr 20, 2026 · 1:31:40
Greg Hirsch wants more seasoned professionals to understand how valuable their experience can be to an ETA journey. Topics in Greg’s interview: Fifteen years learning systems at…
Apr 16, 2026 · 1:33:57
Thanks to strong business-buyer fit, Joe Wynn negotiated great terms to acquire a $600k SDE sales & service business. Register for the webinar: Real Estate Issues When Buying a…
Apr 13, 2026 · 1:45:47
Constrained in her job and seeking more time for her kids, Ana Lia Barragan bought a $385k/yr, 30-year-old business. Register for the webinars: Your First Finance Hires After…
Apr 9, 2026 · 1:29:38
Jenna Whigham and her brother bought a large business for a search fund, then grew it 6x larger over the last 5 years. Register for the webinar: The Operator’s Perspective:…
Apr 6, 2026 · 1:53:08
Joseph Cruz left a lucrative job in finance to pursue business ownership. Year 1 has gone well (despite losing his GM). Register for the webinars: What Type of Franchise Is Right…
Apr 2, 2026 · 1:41:12
It took Robin Kovitz fours years to find her business, which she has built into an industry leader and her life's work. Register for the webinar: Quality of Technology (QoT)…
Mar 30, 2026 · 1:54:17
Jack Foster & Jake McLaughlin raised $2.8m to buy 10 Meineke stores. That equity has taken them further than expected. Register for the webinars: Offshore Talent vs. AI for…
Mar 26, 2026 · 1:26:56
Corey Mullins had worked in the trade over a decade when he bought a tiny, failing HVAC business for its phone number. Register for the webinars: What Actually Makes a Good Deal?…
Mar 23, 2026 · 1:33:22
Eric Donahue quickly grew revenue to $6m thanks to operational enhancements, culture tweaks, and a little good luck. Register for the webinar: What Actually Makes a Good Deal?…
Mar 19, 2026 · 1:30:40
After 25 years on The Street, Brian Anderson discovered passion in buying small businesses — despite brutal challenges. Register for the webinar: How to Handle Common Employee…
Mar 16, 2026 · 1:06:00
Naveen Vinta spends weekdays at the business he bought in Milkwaukee, away from home in Virginia. He's making it work. Register for the webinars: Add-Backs to Cash Flow for SBA…
Mar 12, 2026 · 1:34:36
After building a masonry business over 5+ years, Justin Escajeda bought his first company in 2018 and never looked back. Register for the webinars: From Owner to Owner: Business…
Mar 9, 2026 · 1:24:41
After Megan McGee pivoted her search fund to a self-funded approach, she bought a business where she wanted to settle. Register for the webinars: From Owner to Owner: Business…
Mar 5, 2026 · 1:31:07
Jonathan Taylor has quickly grown revenue 40% at his acquisition through digitization, process improvement, and sales. Topics in Jonathan’s interview: Searching while working…
Mar 2, 2026 · 1:21:22
After his first ownership experience ended badly, Joe Springsteen bought a $3.2m maintenance business that is thriving. Topics in Joe’s interview: Background in law and…
Feb 26, 2026 · 1:30:01
Edward McDonnell bought a local services business via traditional search fund and grew it to 8 branches across 5 states. Register for the webinar: SMB Cybersecurity: Why…
Feb 23, 2026 · 1:30:19
Scott Crosby weathered the challenges that come with buying a 4.5-employee services business, and Year 2 is looking up. Register for the webinars: Common Legal Diligence Issues…
Feb 19, 2026 · 1:14:12
Tato Corcoran returns with updates on her ownership of a sink maker that had just $400k in revenue when she bought it. Register for the webinar: Red Flags That Kill or Reshape…
Feb 16, 2026 · 1:22:15
Don Grigg reflects on the different outcomes for 2 businesses he bought in his 30s, one of which became his life's work. Register for the webinar: Red Flags That Kill or Reshape…
Feb 12, 2026 · 1:55:19
In addition to buying his own business, Evan DiLeonardi trades buy-side services for equity in other SMB acquisitions. Topics in Evan’s interview: Entering the Airbnb space…
Feb 9, 2026 · 1:36:52
He started by buying a small flooring business in 2000. Today Paul Lajoie takes home $1m a year and works how he wants. Register for the webinar: Why Deal Flow Isn’t Your Biggest…
Feb 5, 2026 · 1:44:18
Andrew Kurzrok connected with his seller over his manufacturing background, leading to a successful deal and transition. Topics in Andrew’s interview: Background in science and…
Feb 2, 2026 · 1:13:50
Sensing untapped potential, Ville-Matias Vilén bought a sub-million manufacturer with good IP and global distribution. Topics in Ville’s interview: Desire to “eat what he kills”…
Jan 29, 2026 · 1:36:18
Despite success in corporate, Jarom Wren wanted more freedom, so he traded 5 figures of salary for 7 figures of revenue. Topics in Jarom’s interview: Realizing he was renting…
Jan 26, 2026 · 1:34:55
Family planning and entrepreneurship converged as Linh & Leo Van Deibel bought their first (and not last) business. Topics in Linh & Leo’s interview: Making the case for business…
Jan 22, 2026 · 1:41:58
Jacob VosWinkel searched in tertiary markets to find a successful flooring store, his platform to build something big. Register for the webinar: What You’re Really Paying: Net…
Jan 19, 2026 · 1:44:30
George Stern leaned into changing consumer search habits when he bought a digital marketing agency doing mid-7 figures. Register for the webinars: Which Franchise Industries Make…
Jan 15, 2026 · 1:23:42
Phil Koller studied the concentration and key man risks in a distribution business well-suited to him — and went for it. Register for the webinar: From W2 to Owner Mindset: How…
Jan 12, 2026 · 1:25:20
Matt Orley wanted to enter the short-term rentals space. Buying a business — and a brand he admired — was his way in. Register for the webinars: DO’s and DON'Ts of the LOI -…
Jan 8, 2026 · 1:20:29
Adam Vandermyde had to be persuaded to acquire the $15m business that he ultimately professionalized and exited to PE. Register for the webinar: How to Present Your Deal for…
Jan 5, 2026 · 1:33:35
Joe Odell and his partner acquired a business with over $4m in earnings and lots of green flags. It went sideways fast. Register for the webinar: How to Present Your Deal for…
Dec 31, 2025 · 1:43:10
The first business Joe Soelberg bought did $400k SDE. The experience and cash flow enabled a second, larger acquisition. Topics in Joe’s interview: Leaving corporate for a chance…
Dec 29, 2025 · 1:50:53
Former pro bowler Mike Fagan bought a $2m bowling center with a plan to roll up and rejuvenate these legacy businesses. Topics in Mike’s interview: His professional bowling…
Dec 24, 2025 · 1:45:16
Tato Corcoran packed a lifetime of learning (and tears) into 18 months when she left tech & bought a tiny manufacturer. Topics in Tato’s interview: Connecting with sellers…
Dec 22, 2025 · 1:54:33
The construction services business Christian Bateson bought will do $7.5m in 2024. It also rescued him from the depths. Topics in Christian’s interview: His front row seat to the…
Dec 18, 2025 · 1:17:21
Respected consumer brands are not common in lower middle market acquisitions, but Philip Hussey and Chenmark bought one. Topics in Philip’s interview: Chenmark’s acquisition of…
Dec 15, 2025 · 1:36:56
Robert Gayden worked for over a year to buy a home care business. Revenue kept growing but the price remained the same. Register for the webinar: What Killed Deals in 2025 -…
Dec 11, 2025 · 1:39:16
Scott Duncan endured brutal ups & downs — and personal depression — during his ownership of a doomed tool & die business Register for the webinar: How to Model an Investor-Backed…
Dec 8, 2025 · 1:27:51
Andy Rougeot launched remote territories of the blue collar business he bought, which led to $1.7m of EBITDA and an exit Register for the webinars: How to Invest In SMBs (Without…
Dec 4, 2025 · 1:42:08
Steve Carroll started as an SBA searcher before pivoting to a PE-backed roll-up. It's gone better than he ever expected. Register for the webinars: How to Run the SBA Deal Race -…
Dec 1, 2025 · 1:40:56
Jake Bittner bought an unprofitable carve-out doing $3m. A key pivot grew revenue to $20m and got the attention of PE. Register for the webinar: How to Run the SBA Deal Race -…
Nov 26, 2025 · 1:15:18
Dave Gilbert spent 2 years fixing the model and customer concentration of the $750k SDE family business he bought with SBA debt. Topics in Dave’s interview: Leaving tech to buy a…
Nov 24, 2025 · 1:21:12
Taylor Mattingly found high-quality revenue in an unusual and sizable B2C business that he happened to be a customer of. Topics in Taylor’s interview: Being Co-CEO with his best…
Nov 20, 2025 · 1:54:00
From the acquisition of a tiny refrigeration business, Linh Tran has built an enterprise that earns millions annually. Register for the webinar: What a Good Investor Pitch Looks…
Nov 17, 2025 · 1:36:07
Greg Geronemus bought a highly-profitable travel business at favorable terms, helping to ensure a great return on exit. Register for the webinar: What a Good Investor Pitch Looks…
Nov 13, 2025 · 1:56:16
Gail Azodo discovered a method of buying audiology practices with 100% financing. She's moving quickly to buy and build. Register for the webinar: Financing Your Deal: SBA vs.…
Nov 10, 2025 · 1:27:12
After chafing under the constraints of being a CEO, Katherine Butler-Dines & Rahul Desai bought a business of their own. Register for the webinar: Financing Your Deal: SBA vs.…
Nov 6, 2025 · 1:30:51
Clayton Collins acquired HousingWire with a big vision for the small media business. 9 years later, it has come to life. Register for the webinar: Overcoming Risks from a…
Nov 3, 2025 · 1:57:25
Both buyer Jared Lenner and seller Dave Serwitz share their perspectives on the acquisition of a 20-year-old business. Register for the webinars: Investor-Backed Search and SBA:…
Oct 30, 2025 · 1:36:57
Shaun Stimpson had worked for two decades before pivoting to buying businesses in a different industry. He's moved fast. Register for the webinar: Tax Issues: Entity and Deal…
Oct 27, 2025 · 1:29:07
Ania Aliev was so eager to buy her business, she worked the deal while in labor at the hospital. It's been worth it. Register for the webinar: Tax Issues: Entity and Deal…
Oct 23, 2025 · 1:35:13
Despite skepticism from her US investors, Ivona Butcher bought (and tripled) a business in her native Czech Republic. Topics in Ivona’s interview: Doing business in a post-Soviet…
Oct 20, 2025 · 1:24:54
Ruchik Gandhi was a diligence CPA when he decided to get in the game himself. Becoming an owner has been an education. Topics in Ruchik’s interview: India > Australia > US…
Oct 16, 2025 · 1:21:28
Undeterred by self doubt, Danyelle Nys bought a $400k SDE business at a fantastic price. She's grown it 25% in year one. Topics in Danyelle’s interview: Working in her family’s…
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