Acquiring Minds

Adam Whelchel paid himself instead of the IRS, putting $35k down on an escape room doing $365k with room to grow.
Register for the webinar: 
The Deal I Almost Bought (And Why I Passed) - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4hVeKik
Topics in Adam’s interview:
Built a $1.5M accounting firm
Business brokerage opened the acquisition door
Wanted a business his daughter could appreciate
An escape room caught his attention
Fixed costs created massive operating leverage
Bought the business for roughly $220K
Put about $35K into the deal
Business acquisition as a tax strategy
Re-engaged customers and local businesses
Plans to double capacity to 20%
References and how to contact Adam:
LinkedIn
Axis Accounting & Tax
Jeff Homer on Acquiring Minds: 1 Music School to $100m in Revenue
Adam’s slides 
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

Mike Bourgeois bought an HVAC company bleeding $3m a year, all cash and no SBA, then cut $1.4m of costs in 2 weeks.
Register for the webinar: 
The Deal I Almost Bought (And Why I Passed) - Thu, Sep 10 - https://bit.ly/4zKAGTN
Topics in Mike’s interview:
Led major Air Force medical practice
Found a search partner with complementary skill sets
Bet on distressed businesses with liquidation value
Found a deal through veteran ETA Slack
Speed beat the highest bid
Immediately cut $1.4M in annualized expenses
Raised gross margins from 7% to 49%
Shifted from silos to teamwork
Emphasis on ongoing staff training
His goal of being a capital allocator/investor
References and how to contact Mike:
LinkedIn
Cardinal Heating & Air
Book: The Compounders: From Small Acquisitions to Giant Shareholder Returns
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

Sujith Shankar left 25 years in corporate to buy cash-flowing businesses: a $1.2m repair shop and a $2m body shop.
Topics in Sujith interview:
How Rivian layoffs changed everything
Falling down the Warren Buffett rabbit hole
Why auto repair beat real estate
Funding a deal without an SBA loan
Running a business while keeping a W-2
Winning over skeptical employees after closing
Planning a mini Berkshire Hathaway
Is EV adoption really a threat?
Buying a second business just months later
Collision shops vs. repair shops
References and how to contact Sujith:
LinkedIn
The Billionaire Who Wasn’t by Conor O’Clery
Edgar Galindo on Acquiring Minds: How 1 SBA Loan Brought Down 2 Businesses
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
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

Courtney and Jonathan Dunn bought a fast-growing SaaS at 3-4x ARR, doubled it, then merged for a life-changing exit.
Register for the webinar: 
Architecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-Up - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4gXkwPt
Topics in Jonathan & Courtney’s interview:
Their background in oil & gas
Turning down an offer from Apple
Improving their investor pitch
Traveling extensively to search
Acquiring a niche healthcare software company 
Using all equity, no debt, for the deal
Using an earn-out to resolve valuation disagreements 
Having a baby during the acquisition process
The hire they wish they’d made sooner 
Advice for couples considering building a business together.
References and how to contact Jonathan & Courtney:
Jonathan’s LinkedIn
Courtney’s LinkedIn
Cerbo
Ned Tomasevic spelling on Acquiring Minds: How to 4x EBITDA in 3 Years Without Growing Sales
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
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

Andrew Sova and Alex Clark revived sales at a 40-year-old sign manufacturer, the first acquisition of their holdco.
Register for the webinars:
New SBA Rules: What Business Buyers Need to Know - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4hGNwMi
Architecture of an Entrepreneurial Roll-Up - Tue, Sep 1 - https://bit.ly/4qc7dxx
Topics in Andrew & Alex’s interview:
Meeting at BCG
Partnership provided accountability and motivation
Looking for direct-impact roles
Prioritizing speed with brokered search
Their vision to build a holdco
Winsor Fireform makes uniquely durable signage
Employee growth = key success metric
Seller chose buyers based on trust, not price
Customers include parks, transit systems, and stadiums
Long negotiation over working capital
References and how to contact Andrew and Alex:
Andrew Sova’s LinkedIn
Alex Clark’s LinkedIn
Novo Foundry
Cayne Crossing
Winsor Fireform
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
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