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Acquiring Minds

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

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 weeklyEpisodes444Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessEntrepreneurshipInvesting

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Artwork for Acquiring Minds

Latest Episodes

After 25 years on The Street, Brian Anderson discovered passion in buying small businesses — despite brutal challenges.

Register for the webinar:

• How to Handle Common Employee Issues When Buying a Business - TODAY!! - bit.ly/4sa946l

Topi... more

YouTube

Naveen Vinta spends weekdays at the business he bought in Milkwaukee, away from home in Virginia. He's making it work.

Register for the webinars: 

• Add-Backs to Cash Flow for SBA Loans - Tue March 17th - bit.ly/4luTdgd

• How to Handle Comm... more

After building a masonry business over 5+ years, Justin Escajeda bought his first company in 2018 and never looked back.

Register for the webinars: 

•  From Owner to Owner: Business Transition Lessons - TODAY - bit.ly/46K82p5

Topics in Jus... more

After Megan McGee pivoted her search fund to a self-funded approach, she bought a business where she wanted to settle.

Register for the webinars: 

•  From Owner to Owner: Business Transition Lessons - Thu March 12 - bit.ly/4ctCJCw

Topics i... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Minds Capital Podcast
Minds Capital PodcastWill Smith & Niklas James
My First Million
My First MillionHubspot Media
Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating
Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operatingBill D'Alessandro, Mills Snell, Heather Endresen, and Michael Girdley
Founders
FoundersDavid Senra

Recent Guests

Megan McGee
Owner of Guest Houses (Virginia vacation rental management), former ETA/self-funded searcher
Guest Houses (Virginia)
Episode: No SBA Loan and $75k Out of Pocket
Jonathan Taylor
Owner of AEK Technology, distributor in aerospace/defense
AEK Technology
Episode: Growing Profits 30% in the First 1.5 Years
Joe Springsteen
Owner of Mallard Systems, former biohazard contractor
Mallard Systems
Episode: Second Time's the Charm as Owner of a $4m Business
Edward McDonnell
Acquirer and former CEO of Botanical Designs
Botanical Designs
Episode: Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide
Scott Crosby
Owner of American Services St. Louis, entrepreneur with a diverse career background.
American Services
Episode: Year 1 in a $300k SDE Services Business
Don Grigg
CEO and co-owner of Big Adventures, the company behind Native Watercraft, Liquid Logic Kayaks, and Bonafide Kayaks
Big Adventures
Episode: Exiting for Millions vs. Long-Term Hold
Evan DiLeonardi
Owner of Quality Cleaning Service of Northwest Ohio and SBA buy-side advisor
Episode: How to Own 20% of Multiple SMBs
Paul Lajoie
Owner of Heritage Hardwood Floors, Maxwell Pipeline Services, and BizBuy Pro
Episode: $20m Net Worth After 25 Years Buying Businesses
Ville-Matias Vilén
Owner of ThinEasy, maker of the Easy Swing Cattle Brush
ThinEasy
Episode: $250k SDE Acquisition: Limited Downside, Big Upside

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 663 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
    Australia6 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
    Australia8 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 States9 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 States9 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 States10 months 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.

Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide
Q: What were the challenges during the sales process?
Edward found the selling process emotionally taxing as it required constant focus on performance while simultaneously preparing for the sale, which was time-consuming and complicated.
Taking a Single-City Acquisition Nationwide
Q: Why did you settle on traditional search?
Edward mentions that he had little cash out of business school and wanted the resources for proper due diligence and to pay for necessary travel and expenses without concern.
Exiting for Millions vs. Long-Term Hold
Q: What do you reflect on differently after your exit?
I've come to appreciate the importance of creating a family-oriented business over short-term financial wins.
Exiting for Millions vs. Long-Term Hold
Q: How do you see private equity impacting businesses?
It often leads to a focus on short-term profitability that can harm employees and company culture.
Exiting for Millions vs. Long-Term Hold
Q: What makes a successful acquisition?
It requires a solid understanding of both the customer needs and the sources of supply.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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

Where can I find podcast stats for Acquiring Minds?

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How many listeners does Acquiring Minds get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Acquiring Minds?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Acquiring Minds:

1. Minds Capital Podcast
2. My First Million
3. Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating
4. Founders
5. The Startup Ideas Podcast

How many episodes of Acquiring Minds are there?

Acquiring Minds launched 5 years ago and published 444 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. Megan McGee
2. Jonathan Taylor
3. Joe Springsteen
4. Edward McDonnell
5. Scott Crosby
6. Don Grigg
7. Evan DiLeonardi
8. Paul Lajoie

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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