Acquiring Minds

Nicolás Lulli bought a document storage business in Peru. 6 years later, it is a $25m leader in the Andean region.
Register for the webinar: 
Advanced Deal Mechanics: NWC, Net Debt & Purchase Price Adjustments - Tue, Apr 28 - https://bit.ly/490Ms0q
Topics in Nicolás’s interview:
First employee at Relay Investments search fund
Launched Peru’s first search fund, Colca Capital
Covid lockdowns erased profits almost overnight
Rebuilding the business into a tight submarine
From $0 EBITDA to $5m in one year
Shifted focus toward acquisitions for faster growth
Records storage is a real estate business
Invests in other searchers to pay it forward
The cradle-to-grave strategy in records management
Building a searcher community in Peru
References and how to contact Nicolás:
LinkedIn
Colca Capital
Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition. 
Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta. 
The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:
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

Greg Hirsch wants more seasoned professionals to understand how valuable their experience can be to an ETA journey.
Topics in Greg’s interview:
Fifteen years learning systems at Sysco Foods
Failed startup revealed builder, not founder path
Helped scale trucking roll-up through industry consolidation
Revisiting his “heck no” pile
Invests in timeless blue-collar essential industries
Late-40s searches benefit from life experience
Spouse alignment essential before risking family security
His wife’s perspective on the process
Growth comes from removing operational friction
His wife’s perspective on the process
References and how to contact Greg:
LinkedIn
Hirsch Ventures
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

Thanks to strong business-buyer fit, Joe Wynn negotiated great terms to acquire a $600k SDE sales & service business.
Register for the webinar: 
Real Estate Issues When Buying a Business - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4smYdoQ
Topics in Joseph’s interview:
Trading a mid–six-figure salary for business ownership
Wanting to “build his own ladder” instead of climbing someone else’s
Buying a medical equipment distribution and service company
Designing and outfitting hospital operating rooms
45% net margins on $2M in revenue
Raising service prices 20–50% in his first six weeks
Navigating “lumpy” project-based revenue cycles
Structuring a $1.35M deal with seller financing
Putting only $120K down with no personal guarantee
A post-closing banking freeze that forced him to cover payroll
References and how to contact Joseph:
LinkedIn
Surgical Specialties of Georgia
Iris Levine on Acquiring Minds: $6m Business, 3 Minutes From Childhood Home
Brian Hartman on Acquiring Minds: The Path from $2.5m to $60m in a Tree Business
The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:
The Acquisition Lab
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

Constrained in her job and seeking more time for her kids, Ana Lia Barragan bought a $385k/yr, 30-year-old business.
Register for the webinars: 
Your First Finance Hires After Buying a Business - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/3OvsNic
Real Estate Issues When Buying a Business - Thu, Apr 16 - https://bit.ly/3PYIhf8
Topics in Ana Lia’s interview:
Wanted flexibility while raising two young children
Hit promotion ceiling in corporate tech ladder
Joined Beta Accelerator, buying businesses training program
Treat LOIs like conversations, not commitments
DIY diligence first to avoid costly mistakes
SBA rule changes complicated future acquisition financing
Recurring revenue lower than seller originally claimed
Lost major client after leadership cost-cutting shift
Built custom AI app for operations tracking
Bought a job first, business later
References and how to contact Ana Lia:
LinkedIn
Kelly Green
Ana Lia’s LinkedIn post on how the new SBA rules affect her
Ana Lia’s LinkedIn post on the pre- and post-closing gap in understanding her business 
Gabe Perez on Acquiring Minds: One Couple, 4 Kids, and a Business 3 Hours Away
Darryl Lindie on Acquiring Minds: Hard but Fun: Transitioning a 77-Year-Old Business
Nick Haschka on Acquiring Minds: How One Small Acquisition Led to 9 More in 5 Years
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
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

Jenna Whigham and her brother bought a large business for a search fund, then grew it 6x larger over the last 5 years.
Register for the webinar:
The Operator’s Perspective: Running a Business for an Owner - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4va4hUm
Topics in Jenna’s interview:
Investment banking during the 2008 crisis
Launching a traditional search fund with her brother
Golden Retrievers led to an acquisition
Acquiring a $100 million company
Financial risk of being a “price taker”
Expanding through M&A
Software “Trojan Horse” strategy
How they decide which states to expand to
Managing a 25% staff turnover rate
Realities of home care and compliance incidents
References and how to contact Jenna:
LinkedIn
Abound Health
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
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