Passion & Profit in an American Pastime
Dec 29, 2025•1 hr 51 min
Episode description
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 to contact Mike:
- Tenpins & More
- Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnam
- Carlo Santelli on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy a $13m Business with No PG, No Investors
- Webinar: Using a Sale-Leaseback to Buy a Business
Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:
Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:
- Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
- From this page or contact mark@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
Produced by Pam Cameron
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
