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Artwork for Acquiring Minds

Acquiring Minds

Will Smith
Acquisition Entrepreneurship
Covid-19
Entrepreneurship
Transtech
Cemetery Services
CDL Schools
Search Funds
Trucking Industry
Financial Modeling
Trade Schools
Vocational Training
Business Ownership
Home Services
Franchises
Small Business Growth
SBA Financing
Business Acquisition
SBA Loans
HVAC
Flavor-Crisp

Buying a business is an amazing path for many successful entrepreneurs. Learn how to buy a business from the entrepreneurs who have already done it. 2x per week: stories, insights, & valuable advice about acquisition entrepreneurship. Hosted by Will Smith, who is on his own path to acquire a business. Also on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMinds Sign up for episode summaries at: https:... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes450Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipInvestingBusiness

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Artwork for Acquiring Minds

Latest Episodes

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!! - bit.ly/4va4hUm

Topic... more

Joseph Cruz left a lucrative job in finance to pursue business ownership. Year 1 has gone well (despite losing his GM).

Register for the webinars: 

• What Type of Franchise Is Right for You? - TOMORROW!! - bit.ly/48gn6eH

• The Operator’s Pe... more

YouTube

It took Robin Kovitz fours years to find her business, which she has built into an industry leader and her life's work.

Register for the webinar:

• Quality of Technology (QoT) Report: Protecting Your Acquisition - TODAY!! - bit.ly/4d9F2en

more

YouTube

Jack Foster & Jake McLaughlin raised $2.8m to buy 10 Meineke stores. That equity has taken them further than expected.

Register for the webinars: 

• Offshore Talent vs. AI for Business Buyers - TOMORROW!! - bit.ly/4bAIbTj

• Quality of Techn... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Joseph Cruz
Owner, ANA Equipment and Supply; construction supply distributor focused on sewer and water
ANA Equipment and Supply
Episode: "Life is Just Brighter" in a $1.2m Distribution Business
Robin Kovitz
Owner, Baskets with an I
Baskets with an I
Episode: From Small Acquisition to $30m Industry Leader
Jack Foster
Franchisee investigator and operator, Meineke portfolio builder
Independent portfolio operator
Episode: How to Acquire 25 Franchise Units in 2.5 Years
Jake McLaughlin
Co-operator and partner in the Meineke portfolio
Independent portfolio operator
Episode: How to Acquire 25 Franchise Units in 2.5 Years
Corey Mullins
Tradesman with HVAC background turned acquisition entrepreneur
Cool by Design / McConnell Air Conditioning (acquired business)
Episode: Turning $25k into a $3.2m Exit in Under 4 Years
Eric Donahue
Owner of Peninsula Paving
Peninsula Paving
Episode: 40% Growth in Year 1 of a Paving Business
Brian Anderson
Former owner of Deco Manufacturing; ETA path practitioner
Deco Manufacturing / ETA path practitioner
Episode: Leaving Wall Street to Buy a $1m Manufacturing Business
Naveen Vinta
Owner of Bailey Specialty Cranes and Aerials; acquired the 21-year-old business
Bailey Cranes and Aerials
Episode: A $6.5m Business Worth Flying To
Chelsea Wood
Host of Acquisition Lab webinar plug (mentioned in intro)
Acquisition Lab
Episode: Bricklayer to Blue-Collar Empire

Host

Will Smith
Host of Acquiring Minds, Will Smith shares his journey and insights while guiding others through the intricacies of business acquisition. He focuses on storytelling and actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 671 ratings
  • Must listen for anyone buying a business

    Thanks Will for sharing these stories. There are so many actionable takeaways for acquisition entrepreneurs. Thanks also to the community for sharing these stories highs, the lows and the lessons. This is invaluable stuff!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J--Mar
    Australia7 months ago
  • Brilliant podcast

    Love hearing all the journeys to business ownership - and running the business. Will organises the show in a great way too, so you can learn why the owner made the decisions they did.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kimhollis
    Australia9 months ago
  • Will is out here doing god's work. He's skillfully teaching first time searchers everything from books to read, pitfalls to avoid, tactics to emulate, the whole package. I went to the top business school in the country. But Will and his team are giving anyone who will listen more value, connections, and practical knowledge for free. Take advantage of this ASAP.

    Audible
    5
    James Addison
    United States10 months ago
  • Essential Listening for First Time Business Acquirers

    Will is out here doing god's work. He's skillfully teaching first time searchers everything from books to read, pitfalls to avoid, tactics to emulate, the whole package. I went to the top business school in the country. But Will and his team are giving anyone who will listen more value, connections, and practical knowledge for free. Take advantage of this ASAP.

    Audible
    5
    James Addison
    United States10 months ago
  • High Quality ETA Content

    There is no one offering high level ETA content like Will. No click bate , just great stories and real searcher experiences to help people learn if they want to make the jump into ETA. This podcast has changed how I view the world. Thank you Will.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Guy 2025
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The engaging format combines in-depth interviews with practical advice, making it a top resource for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Listeners appreciate the actionable insights shared by entrepreneurs, emphasizing the invaluable lessons in both successful and challenging business acquisitions.
The host's ability to ask relevant questions and connect with guests enhances the overall listening experience, creating a sense of community and support among listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

40% Growth in Year 1 of a Paving Business
Q: Why did you choose a conventional loan instead of SBA, and how did the terms compare?
He describes bank familiarity with the business, asset backing, and the option of a seller note, which made a conventional loan viable and favorable in rate and fees compared to SBA, though with a shorter amortization.
40% Growth in Year 1 of a Paving Business
Q: How did you go about finding the business and deciding to buy Peninsula Paving?
He explains networking through the veteran and small-business community, meeting people via referrals, and ultimately the connection that led to the introduction to the seller and the closing process.
40% Growth in Year 1 of a Paving Business
Q: Tell us what you were doing in the service, and then what it is that for people who haven't gone through that experience, that makes the transition to civilian life so difficult.
He discusses a Navy SEAL background, the high-performance environment, and the challenge of translating that pace and discipline into civilian entrepreneurship, with mentorship and a search for meaningful, practical work that could translate into business ownership.
Turning $25k into a $3.2m Exit in Under 4 Years
Q: What was the initial financial entry point and what did Corey see as the value in the small target business?
Corey paid $100,000 total for the target, valuing the legacy phone number and goodwill at about $50,000 each, which would immediately drive calls and revenue, making the small investment worthwhile.
"Life is Just Brighter" in a $1.2m Distribution Business
Q: Why did you choose a stock purchase over an asset purchase?
Because the business had ongoing contracts with state agencies via tax ID and they preferred not to reset those relationships; stock allowed avoiding the loss of recurring revenue contracts and preexisting agreements.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Acquiring Minds

What is Acquiring Minds about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The focus is on acquisition entrepreneurship, providing listeners with insights into the processes, challenges, and successes of buying and operating businesses. Episodes feature a range of entrepreneurs who share their personal stories, emphasizing the practical advice gained from their experiences. The podcast uniquely blends tactical information with engaging narratives, covering various industries and the entrepreneurial journey within them. Key themes include year-on-year growth, staffing, business management, financial planning, and navigating the complexities of transitioning from employment to ownership. The hosting style encourages authenticity and transparency, allowing for a deep exploration of both the highs and lows of entrepre... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Acquiring Minds?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Acquiring Minds:

1. Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating
2. Minds Capital Podcast
3. Built to Sell Radio
4. My First Million
5. Founders

How many episodes of Acquiring Minds are there?

Acquiring Minds launched 5 years ago and published 450 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Acquiring Minds?

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What guests have appeared on Acquiring Minds?

Recent guests on Acquiring Minds include:

1. Joseph Cruz
2. Robin Kovitz
3. Jack Foster
4. Jake McLaughlin
5. Corey Mullins
6. Eric Donahue
7. Brian Anderson
8. Naveen Vinta

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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