Acquiring Minds

By: Will Smith
  • Summary

  • 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
    2021 - 2023, Acquiring Minds
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Episodes
  • How to Recover from a Fraudulent Seller
    May 8 2025

    Register for the webinar:

    • Deal Structuring Under the New SBA Rules - TODAY May 8th - https://bit.ly/4jFLpX2

    Jason Jackson thought he bought a $1.5m SDE dental practice. In fact, the business was losing money & engaging in fraud.

    Topics in Jason’s interview:

    • Value of pattern recognition in business
    • Missing fraud despite $400k of due diligence
    • Turning around a business with negative EBITDA
    • When to fire a top performer
    • Fixing a broken work culture
    • Why he decided not to sue the seller
    • Hands-on learning in every role
    • Changing their revenue model during Covid
    • Focusing on cash, culture, and communication
    • Why his investors were thrilled with a 2x return

    References and how to contact Jason:

    • LinkedIn
    • Jason’s partner Olaide Lawal
    • Futaleufu Partners
    • The Manager’s Handbook by David Dodson

    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 hello@systemsix.com 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

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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Turning a $250k Investment into $7m+
    May 5 2025

    Register for the webinar:

    • Deal Structuring Under the New SBA Rules - Thu May 8 - https://bit.ly/4m7VH47

    Marvin Karlow & his partner bought a powder-coating business with $500k in equity. 8 years later, they sold it for $21m.

    Topics in Marvin’s interview:

    • Going from corporate to blue collar business
    • Buying a business with his best friend
    • Picking a lane and staying in it
    • Biggest customer slashing prices right after transition
    • Putting personal money into the business
    • Losing a major customer
    • The customer that turned it all around
    • Buying 2 turnarounds
    • Merging and exiting the businesses
    • Tax savings through QSBS

    References and how to contact Marvin:

    • LinkedIn
    • marvin.karlow@raincatcher.com
    • Raincatcher
    • Steve Mariani

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

    • From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.com

    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 nick@inzotechnologies.com, 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

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Buying a Remote, 20-Year-Old Business with $900k of SDE
    May 1 2025

    Register for the webinar:

    • Anatomy of a Franchise Holdco - Thu May 1 - https://bit.ly/4jreo0U

    Dan Angel knew he wanted to buy this B2B travel company with $3m top line. But the sale would shock the key number-two.

    Topics in Dan Angel’s interview:

    • Leaving his dream career at a hedge fund
    • Coming in a little too hot as the new owner
    • Adding 3 offshore employees
    • Growth isn’t free
    • Running a fully remote team
    • Trying to change the world by 9:00 am

    Topics in Jayme Moylan’s interview:

    • Her 15 years working for Lodging Source
    • Being blindsided by the acquisition
    • Uncertainty over who to answer to while the seller was still there
    • Figuring out how to interact with Dan

    References and how to contact Dan and Jayme:

    • Dan Angel LinkedIn
    • Jayme Moylan LinkedIn
    • Lodging Source
    • Self-Funded Search vs Traditional Search Funds
    • Sam Rosati on Acquiring Minds discussing Big 3, Little 2: How to Shorten Your Search to Buy a Business
    • Chris Williams on Acquiring Minds: System Six: One Year Update

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

    • Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring Minds

    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

    Edited by Anton Rohozov
    Produced by Pam Cameron

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 58 mins

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