
Buying for Brand (Then Growing 4x)
2026-1-12 | 1h 25 mins.
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/3YtLIvpFrom W2 to Owner Mindset: How to Think About Your Take-Home Pay - Jan 15th - https://bit.ly/4qJ1Xk5Topics in Matt’s interview:Investment properties as a side hustleEvolving short-term rental ecosystemDifficult transition with the sellerInfluence of Airbnb on customer expectationsImportance of clear communicationRolling up property management companiesConcentrating on one region of the countryDifference between urban and rural marketsLaunching a membership programPutting the brand first when making decisionsReferences and how to contact Matt:LinkedInInstagramRed CottageGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamGet 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 MindsGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcherConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

$14.5m Exit After 5 Years
2026-1-08 | 1h 21 mins.
Adam Vandermyde had to be persuaded to acquire the $15m business that he ultimately professionalized and exited for 7x.Register for the webinar: How to Present Your Deal for Maximum SBA Success - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/3KW7aWLTopics in Adam’s interview:Leaving consulting 2 months from making partnerTaking on the CEO role at the target before closingFocusing on EBITDA over revenueA construction mistake that cost the company dearlyParsing data to understand “margin per labor dollar”Advantages of being in a high-growth geographical areaImproving customer service to stand outExiting after 5 yearsAdrenaline rush of sharing his payday with employeesHow it feels to be a millionaireReferences and how to contact Adam:LinkedInGet 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 MindsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

Complexity Hides Fragility: Losing a $20m Business
2026-1-05 | 1h 33 mins.
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/4snUKHYTopics in Joe’s interview:His blue collar, military backgroundVolunteering without pay for a consulting companyUltimately rejecting the tech industryFinding his search partner at business schoolSeeking out a complex businessDoing traditional search, on his wife’s adviceAcquiring a home health adjacent companyPost-close cash crisisLosing a key sales repFatal “pen stroke risk”References and how to contact Joe:LinkedInGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcherDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact [email protected] complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

Buying Small to Then Buy Larger ($1m SDE)
2025-12-31 | 1h 43 mins.
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&LHis toughest pitch was to his wifeAcquiring a 3D design firmPivoting hard during CovidHiring a manager with a design backgroundAcquiring a branding agencyDifference between branding and marketingRetainer model for recurring revenueOffering less than listing priceHis hand-off relationship with his businessesReferences and how to contact Joe:LinkedInPoint B CommunicationsSONNY+ASHMike Curry on Acquiring Minds: It’s All Your Fault: How to Become CEO of Your AcquisitionJohannes Hock on Acquiring Minds: Buy and 3x a Project Based Business in Just 2 YearsWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamGet 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 MindsConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

Passion & Profit in an American Pastime
2025-12-29 | 1h 50 mins.
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 careerConnecting with a bowling-specific brokerEconomic role of league bowlersThe decline of bowling in AmericaTraditional bowling vs BowleroBuying a traditional, older bowling alleyRunning leaner to pay down debtEmployee resistance to changeSuccess with online bookingsHis goal of managing remotelyReferences and how to contact Mike:LinkedInTenpins & MoreBowling Alone by Robert D. PutnamCarlo Santelli on Acquiring Minds: How to Buy a $13m Business with No PG, No InvestorsWebinar: Using a Sale-Leaseback to Buy a BusinessLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at [email protected], and tell him you’re a searcherDownload the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact [email protected] with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron



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