Acquiring Minds

Neil Finneran returns 3 years after buying a business so small it barely paid him a salary — now on pace for $800k.
Register for the webinars: 
Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4qg4P9k
Licenses & Regulatory Issues When Buying a Business - Tue, Aug 25 - https://bit.ly/4wTADDf
Topics in Neil’s interview:
Neil’s previous appearance on Acquiring Minds
His background in hedge funds
Pain of buying small
Managing labor and no-shows
Implementing a hybrid-pay model for techs
The acquisition that tripled his revenue
Christmas lights services in the off season
Rising customer acquisition costs
Barriers to entry in pest control
Why his outcome diverged from Jesse Sunquist’s
References and how to contact Neil:
LinkedIn
Mosquito Joe of Andover-Peabody
Neil’s first appearance on Acquiring Minds: How to Survive Going from Hedge Funds to SMB Owner
Jesse’s most recent appearance on Acquiring Minds: 3 Years, $80k In: An Honest Update
Jesse’s first appearance on Acquiring Minds: How to Widen Your Search to Buy a Business
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.
Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.
Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:
Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.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

Jesse Sunquist put a GM in charge and stepped back to 5 hours a week — proud of the experience, restless about the outcome.
Register for the webinar: 
Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - Thu, Aug 13 - https://bit.ly/4wPHY6R
Topics in Jesse’s interview:
Buying a business for flexibility
Geographical search in New Jersey
Lowering his minimum SDE threshold to $300K
Acquiring 2 Mosquito Joe territories
His plan to build wealth through franchise roll-ups
Modest growth followed by shrink
How other owners handle the off-season
Taking a W2 with the intent to sell
Inability to find a buyer
Hiring a great GM to run it
References and how to contact Jesse:
LinkedIn
Mosquito Joe
Jesse’s previous interviews on Acquiring Minds: Reflections After 1 Year of Searching Full Time
A Reward for Widening Search to $300k SDE

Neil Finneran on Acquiring Minds: How to Survive Going from Hedge Funds to SMB Owner
The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:
The Acquisition Lab
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
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

Greyson Boerner traded startup life for a 28-year-old niche business — now on pace to grow revenue 50% in year one.
Register for the webinar:
Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4z0fkBx
Topics in Greyson’s interview:
Founding software startups
ETA as a path to stability
Getting his education with Acquisition Lab
Finding business brokers through Google Maps
Uncovered niche church pew restoration business
Competitor closure created significant growth opportunity
Church visit reinforced acquisition decision
Hired bilingual ops manager to bridge communication
Stolen truck fiasco
Revenue up 50%, margins pressured by investments
References and how to contact Greyson:
LinkedIn
Worship Interiors Group
Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:
Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.com
Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:
Pioneer Capital Advisory
Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.
Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.
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

Chibunna Chimezie's seller left $15k in the account. His post-acquisition liquidity is the only reason he made it. 
Register for the webinar:
Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - Thu, Aug 13 - https://bit.ly/4wUCNSY
Topics in Chibunna’s interview:
His family’s immigration story from Nigeria
Interest in how American healthcare works
Learning to manage risk in business school
Acquiring a service provider for veterans
Government shutdown meant no revenue first 2 months
Post-acquisition liquidity for the win
Challenges veterans face back home
Answering the after-hours phone himself
His journey from banking to behavioral health
Investment from New Majority Capital
References and how to contact Chibunna:
LinkedIn
Veterans Room
New Majority Capital
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
The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business:
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 and produced by Pam Cameron

Randy Rempp turned around a $17m insurance business as a rookie CEO, then used that track record to raise a search fund. 
Register for the webinar: 
The 3 Paths to Franchising for Acquisition Entrepreneurs - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4yGEhSe
Topics in Randy’s interview:
From insurance lawyer to business operator
Leading 300 employees at age 29
Why ownership beats being the hired gun
Switching to a traditional search fund
Investors bet on operators, not deal finders
River guides unlock industries and warm introductions
Inside the $31 million acquisition structure
Why every CEO needs a strong CFO
The F-reorg that saved the deal
Refinancing to return capital and fuel growth
References and how to contact Randy:
LinkedIn
Meridian Title Corporation
Young Presidents Organization (YPO) 
Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.
Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.
Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:
Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.com
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