Buying Small to Build for the Long Term ($300k SDE)
May 07, 2026•1 hr 24 min
Episode description
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 Army
- Summer internship with Josh Medow
- Cold calling is unpleasant but effective
- Living and acquiring in the Bay Area
- Working in the business before closing
- Signs of seller integrity
- 85% seller note with no personal guarantee
- Implementing EOS himself
- Choosing to only hire local
- His mission of building a tribe
References and how to contact Brendan:
- IT Total Care
- Josh Medow on Acquiring Minds: How to Unlock Growth in a 40-Year-Old Business You Buy
- Abhi Ravishankar on Acquiring Minds: The $50m Lifestyle Holdco
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
- From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com
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
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