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 for You? - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/48gn6eH
• The Operator’s Perspective: Running a Business for an Owner - Thu, Apr 9 - https://bit.ly/4m7lSZ7

Topics in Joseph’s interview:

• Growing up in a Filipino immigrant family
• Why aging infrastructure creates long-term opportunity
• The laundromat that started it all
• Running an “oh sh*t” business 
• Construction seasonality in Chicago
• Last-minute GM retirement before closing
• Running the business while still working his W-2 job
• The scramble to digitize knowledge stuck in employees’ heads
• Building systems, vendor lists, and shared documentation
• Setting the company’s “emotional temperature” as the owner

References and how to contact Joseph:

• LinkedIn
• A&A LinkedIn

• A&A Equipment and Supply Co.

Articles by Joseph:

• From Spreadsheets to Steel-Toed Boots: Lessons from the First Few Months as an Entrepreneur
• Small Businesses are Small for a Reason: What It Really Takes to Modernize a 40-Year-Old Distribution Business
• The Real Work Begins: Midway Through My First Year as a Business Owner
• Top 10 lessons from my first year of owning a business

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact [email protected]

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:

• 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

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

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) Report: Protecting Your Acquisition - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4d9F2en

Topics in Robin’s interview:

• Upbringing in the meat industry
• Early career in investment banking and M&A
• Her 4-year search for a business
• Always visit the competitors
• Critique of the 2-year search clock
• "Long-termism" and becoming a B Corp
• Her 3 non-negotiables
• Turning around the gift basket business
• Solving their storage problem
• The payoff and price of high ambition

References and how to contact Robin:

• LinkedIn
• Baskits

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

• Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher

If you’re serious about buying a business, learn why Acquisition Lab members have a 40% success rate:

• The Acquisition Lab

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

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 Business Buyers - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4bAIbTj
• Quality of Technology (QoT) Report: Protecting Your Acquisition - Thu, Apr 2 - https://bit.ly/4rUHngL

Topics in Jack and Jake’s interview:

• Childhood friends turned business partners
• Leaving Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Baird for entrepreneurship
• Why they chose the franchise roll-up model
• Consolidating units within the Meineke system
• Applying a first-principles approach to an unfamiliar industry
• Paying royalties as the price of product-market fit
• Technician recruiting advantages of a strong franchise brand
• Why they passed on car washes and quick lube
• The real timeline of the EV threat to auto repair
• Buying real estate and using sale-leasebacks for growth capital

References and how to contact Jack and Jake:

• Jack Foster’s LinkedIn
• Jake McLaughlin’s LinkedIn
• Meineke

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or [email protected] and mention Acquiring Minds

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact [email protected]

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

Edited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron

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? Patterns from 1,000+ Transactions- TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4m4gsy5
• Offshore Talent vs. AI for Business Buyers - Tue, Mar 31 - https://bit.ly/4uW6rXG

Topics in Corey’s interview:

• His 20-year career in HVAC
• Failed buyout of the family business
• Simultaneous launch and acquisition
• Buying a truck and a phone number
• Build-to-sell philosophy
• Growth through online marketing
• Waiting too long to hire managers
• Taking vacations no matter what
• Evolution of the “Trade Dad”
• Exiting to private equity in under 4 years

References and how to contact Corey:

• [email protected]
• Cool By Design
• Patrick Lange
• Patrick Norris on Acquiring Minds: Buy & Build a Trash Business to a $4.4m Exit

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

• Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or [email protected] and mention Acquiring Minds

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

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? Patterns from 1,000+ Transactions - Thurs March 26th - https://bit.ly/4lT2ajG

Topics in Eric’s interview:

• Navy SEAL career and retirement
• Performing the basics at a high level
• His tree service side hustle
• Old school proprietary search
• Buying an off-market paving company
• Forgoing SBA for a conventional loan
• Working in the field to learn the asphalt trade
• 40% revenue growth in 13 months
• Splitting his crew to keep the team productive
• Using his military clearance to win jobs

References and how to contact Eric:

• LinkedIn
• Peninsula Paving
• Hunter at Hanger Law

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

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact [email protected]

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

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 Issues When Buying a Business - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4sa946l

Topics in Brian’s interview:

• Career in investment banking/hedge funds
• Closure of his firm
• Pursuing small business as an asset class
• Low multiples are fairly valued
• Acquiring in manufacturing
• Learning every operational function himself
• Acquiring with no debt
• Being away from his family M-F
• His big mistake during Covid
• Selling to his COO

References and how to contact Brian:

• LinkedIn
• His essay on the experience: Deco Manufacturing Summary and Lessons

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact [email protected]

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or [email protected] and mention Acquiring Minds

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

Edited by Anton Rohozov

Produced by Pam Cameron

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 Loans - Tue March 17th - https://bit.ly/4luTdgd
• How to Handle Common Employee Issues When Buying a Business - Thurs March 19th - https://bit.ly/4dnIwtD

Topics in Naveen’s interview:

• Army experience as a tank mechanic
• Funding his MBA with his G.I. Bill
• Capitalizing on “onshoring” tailwinds
• Getting brokers to take him seriously
• Searching for a business one plane hop away
• Acquiring an aerial work platform business
• Modifying lifts to make them “explosion proof”
• 9-12 month sales cycle
• Improving employee morale
• Being away from his family during the week

References and how to contact Naveen:

• LinkedIn
• Bailey Cranes

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

• Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

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 Transition Lessons - TODAY - https://bit.ly/46K82p5

Topics in Justin’s interview:

• His early career as a stone mason
• Growing his side jobs into a company
• Liquidating his real estate investments
• Focusing on masonry niches
• Acquiring his first business for a 1.3 multiple
• Recruiting managers based on work ethic
• His flat compensation and guaranteed bonus structure
• How he prevents fraud and mismanagement
• Keeping company names the same after buying
• The personal cost of overseeing 11 companies

References and how to contact Justin:

• LinkedIn
• Escajeda Holdings

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

• Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher

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

• The Acquisition Lab

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

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 Transition Lessons - Thu March 12 - https://bit.ly/4ctCJCw

Topics in Megan’s interview:

• Family background in pest control
• Internship with previous guest Edward McDonnell
• Starting out in traditional search
• Investors declined to support a deal she loved
• Pivoting to self-funded search
• Deciding not to buy her dad’s business
• Buying Virginia Guesthouses without an SBA loan
• Buying from a young seller
• Managing 75 properties
• Her profitable first year

References and how to contact Megan:

• LinkedIn
• Tato Corcoran’s recap episode: How to 4x a Small Manufacturer
• Edward McDonnell on Acquiring Minds: Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide
• Matt Orley on Acquiring Minds: Buying for Brand (Then Growing 4x)
• Guesthouses

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or [email protected] and mention Acquiring Minds

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact [email protected]

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

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

Jonathan Taylor has quickly grown revenue 40% at his acquisition through digitization, process improvement, and sales.

Topics in Jonathan’s interview:

• Searching while working full-time
• His “now or never” moment approaching 40
• Restricting his search to Los Angeles
• Over-equitizing the deal
• Structuring a forgivable seller note
• Accepting 60% ownership
• Finding long-term hold investors
• Buying from a non-retiring seller
• Christian stewardship principles
• Growing revenue 40%

References and how to contact Jonathan:

• LinkedIn
• AEK Technology
• Phil Koller on Acquiring Minds: Comfortable Concentration for a $800k SDE Business
• Shaun Stimpson on Acquiring Minds: Started Mid-Career, Grew to $38m in 3 Years

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

Get a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):

• Book a call with Tim or [email protected] and mention Acquiring Minds

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron

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 operations
• Divorce as a catalyst for change
• Acquiring a biohazard cleanup business
• Doing cleanup himself
• His original growth thesis failed
• Selling the cleanup business
• His “Codie Sanchez phase”
• Prioritizing geography in his search
• Acquiring an exterior cleaning business
• Building competitive advantage

References and how to contact Joe:

• LinkedIn
• [email protected]
• Mallard Systems
• Sam Rosati on Acquiring Minds: Shortening Your Search: Big 3 Little 2

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

• Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcher

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact [email protected]

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter

Edited by Anton Rohozov
Produced by Pam Cameron