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 Deals - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4rsjvla Topics in Tato’s interview: Growing her top line revenue Finding a mentor at Starbucks Creating an employee handbook Reconfiguring the factory with new equipment How she implements extreme ownership Profit First accounting Being tied to the real estate market Goals for her real esta...
Feb 19, 2026•1 hr 14 min
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 Deals - Feb 19th - https://bit.ly/468vw6W Topics in Don’s interview: Discovering his passion for manufacturing Searching for “small, broken companies” to acquire Closing on 2 businesses within 6 months How plastics recycling works Scaling his plastics recycling business Private equity is a poor fit for small business Exi...
Feb 16, 2026•1 hr 22 min
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 Joining Ben Kelly’s acquisition group Buying a commercial cleaning business Being a remote “workaholic” Realizing he bought a business in distress First year in survival mode Getting a team of great managers in place His “Equity in Kind” partner model Enjoying search more than operations Building a holding company References ...
Feb 12, 2026•1 hr 55 min
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 Problem - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/4ah8L1E Topics in Paul’s interview: Background in Big Six accounting Buying the first business he looked at Partnering with his brother Downsizing his lifestyle in the beginning Underestimating working capital needs Detailed partnership agreements You are not smarter than the seller ...
Feb 09, 2026•1 hr 37 min
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 national labs Spending all his time traveling for work Wanting to stop traveling when his son was born Studying management at Yale Gaining management experience before searching Making a “no” list Success with cold calling business owners Putting down 25% equity Regional moat of sheet metal His “crawl, walk, run” approach...
Feb 05, 2026•1 hr 44 min
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” 1990’s Finnish Recession Aversion to solving people problems Acquiring a cattle brush manufacturer Funding his deal in Finland Patents as a moat Relocating the manufacturing 5 hours away Sharing ownership with his family’s company Goal to grow 5x in 5 years Long-term holdco vision References and how to contact Ville: Lin...
Feb 02, 2026•1 hr 14 min
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 himself to a corporation Mid-career risk assessment Searching for a digital business Choosing the lowest cost Q of E “Deals want to die” Risks of a 4-year old e-com business Offering education as well as DIY products Deciding against using ROBS Buying 70% of the company His first year report card References and how to conta...
Jan 29, 2026•1 hr 36 min
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 acquisition Taking family planning into account Searching in the UK as a non-citizen Being taken seriously as an Asian woman Their goal of building a holdco Thousands of meetings with sellers Search is a numbers game Brutal IVF process Giving up on acquiring SaaS Buying an engineering consulting firm References ...
Jan 26, 2026•1 hr 35 min
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 Working Capital & Net Debt Explained - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/49WI4Ao Topics in Jacob’s interview: Recommending markets of 50k-100k people Scraping BizBuySell listings Reaching out to 200 potential investors Raising $1 million equity in 2 weeks Advantages/disadvantages of searching under 30 Moving across the country ...
Jan 22, 2026•1 hr 42 min
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 Sense in 2026? - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4jQCN0U What You’re Really Paying: Net Working Capital & Net Debt Explained - Jan 22nd - https://bit.ly/49mgU5Y Topics in George’s interview: Turning around an Amazon seller’s agency Acquiring 2 small ecommerce businesses Loving the customers more than the product Selling...
Jan 19, 2026•1 hr 45 min
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 to Think About Your Take-Home Pay - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4r5RsI3 Topics in Philip’s interview: Preferred working in a small company His friend talked him into real estate, then ETA Inspired by Rich Dad, Poor Dad Importance of having his wife on board Paused search due to upcoming second child Bought Roman Enterprises,...
Jan 15, 2026•1 hr 24 min
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 - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/3YtLIvp From W2 to Owner Mindset: How to Think About Your Take-Home Pay - Jan 15th - https://bit.ly/4qJ1Xk5 Topics in Matt’s interview: Investment properties as a side hustle Evolving short-term rental ecosystem Difficult transition with the seller Influence of Airbnb on customer expectations Impo...
Jan 12, 2026•1 hr 25 min
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 Maximum SBA Success - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3KW7aWL Topics in Adam’s interview: Leaving consulting 2 months from making partner Taking on the CEO role at the target before closing Focusing on EBITDA over revenue A construction mistake that cost the company dearly Parsing data to understand “margin per labor dollar” Advant...
Jan 08, 2026•1 hr 20 min
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 Maximum SBA Success - Jan 8th - https://bit.ly/4snUKHY Topics in Joe’s interview: His blue collar, military background Volunteering without pay for a consulting company Ultimately rejecting the tech industry Finding his search partner at business school Seeking out a complex business Doing traditional search, on his wife’s ...
Jan 05, 2026•1 hr 34 min
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 to manage P&L His toughest pitch was to his wife Acquiring a 3D design firm Pivoting hard during Covid Hiring a manager with a design background Acquiring a branding agency Difference between branding and marketing Retainer model for recurring revenue Offering less than listing price His hand-off relationship with h...
Dec 31, 2025•1 hr 43 min
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 career Connecting with a bowling-specific broker Economic role of league bowlers The decline of bowling in America Traditional bowling vs Bowlero Buying a traditional, older bowling alley Running leaner to pay down debt Employee resistance to change Success with online bookings His goal of managing remotely References and how...
Dec 29, 2025•1 hr 51 min
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 through direct mail Her “Say yes and figure it out later” approach Difficulty in hiring unskilled labor How she solved her labor issue Being a single woman in a male industry Learning Spanish to communicate with her employees Hemorrhaging money the first 8 months Raising prices 40% without losing customers The difference b...
Dec 24, 2025•1 hr 45 min
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 2008 financial crisis Qualities of a top salesperson Business acquisition as a way out of a miserable career Shopping around for an SBA loan Choosing to play to his strengths and outsource his weaknesses Difficulty in hiring for construction Bouncing back and growing after Covid losses Red flags he ignored when acquirin...
Dec 22, 2025•1 hr 55 min
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 Thomas Moser Leading a furniture business as a non-craftsman Chenmark’s hold-forever intention Wait times for custom, hand-made furniture Long tenure of craftsmen Commitment to world-class quality Getting away from offering discounts Building talent through their woodworker school Running a company with a strong legacy be...
Dec 18, 2025•1 hr 17 min
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 - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/44r1pH5 Topics in Robert’s interview: Influence of his late father The “go bigger” search philosophy Appeal of the home health care industry 17-month acquisition process Choosing to operate “in the weeds” of the business Leading with high expectations Focusing on increasing sales Achieving 15% gro...
Dec 15, 2025•1 hr 37 min
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 Search Acquisition - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/3XysjZB Topics in Scott’s interview: Wishing he had listened to his gut The risk of EBITDA (vs. revenue) concentration Managing highly skilled primadonnas Employee theft Losing key employees Long sales cycles and fixed quotes Forced Covid shutdown Razor and blade busi...
Dec 11, 2025•1 hr 39 min
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 Buying One Yourself) - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4rBI4Nb How to Model an Investor-Backed Search Acquisition - Dec 11th - https://bit.ly/4owBkNW Topics in Andy’s interview: His experience as an Army intelligence officer When in doubt, do the dirtiest job The military concept of “left seat, right seat” training Searchin...
Dec 08, 2025•1 hr 28 min
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 - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3Xh3WQb How to Invest In SMBs (Without Buying One Yourself) - Dec 9th - https://bit.ly/44Gylv1 Topics in Steve’s interview: Experience working for WalMart corporate Searching while working full time Myth of passive income Large dead deal costs from a failed acquisition Partnering with his childh...
Dec 04, 2025•1 hr 42 min
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 - Dec 4th - https://bit.ly/44whqv6 Topics in Jake’s interview: Building a nest egg before leaving his job Fallout from his father’s failed businesses Calculating the value of a business losing money Disliking the bureaucracy of large companies Joining his friend to run a distressed company Employee war stories Changing the s...
Dec 01, 2025•1 hr 41 min
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 white collar business Meeting with 120 owners while searching Buying a business he initially passed on Risks of family members as employees Financial surprises after the transition Losing 23% of revenue when clients left Accountants do not like change Recruiting top talent Importance of listening to employees Transferri...
Nov 26, 2025•1 hr 15 min
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 friend Buying a business he was a customer of Acquiring a business in his hometown Confusing, deregulated Texas energy market How Energy Ogre differs from a typical broker Keeping his call center in Texas “Set it and forget it” model “Listening tour” in the first 100 days Adopting the EOS model Higher leverage deal struc...
Nov 24, 2025•1 hr 21 min
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 Like -TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3LYM4H2 Topics in Linh’s interview: The "Three Rs" search criteria Being an undercover owner for 18 months Eliminating 70-hour workweeks for his techs Struggling with work-life balance Implementing value-based pricing 80% rule for delegation Why he doesn’t want to exit Fostering deep employ...
Nov 20, 2025•1 hr 54 min
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 Like - Nov 20th - https://bit.ly/47YbVXj Topics in Greg’s interview: Challenges of searching in New York Cobbling together a search fund in earlier days of search Strategy of cold email outreach Acquiring at age 26 Partnering with a friend Significant challenges of running a tour operator Digital marketing did not move ...
Nov 17, 2025•1 hr 36 min
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. Non-SBA - TODAY - https://bit.ly/4p4J2Q7 Topics in Gail’s interview: Managing brands at Proctor and Gamble Her vision to run her own company Life changing power of hearing aids Switching her search from Vision to Audiology Consequences of untreated hearing loss Financing through hearing aid manufacturers Cross-licensing he...
Nov 13, 2025•1 hr 56 min
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. Non-SBA - Nov 13th - https://bit.ly/47OQpUA Topics in Katherine and Rahul’s interview: Katherine’s early CEO experience Board conflicts pushed her toward majority ownership Acquiring without a traditional bank loan Convincing the seller to do a seller note Paying the seller note with float from advance bookings Rahul b...
Nov 10, 2025•1 hr 27 min
