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Acquiring Minds

Will Smith
Acquisition Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
SBA Loans
Business Acquisition
Private Equity
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
Franchising
Acquisition Lab
Covid-19
HVAC
Small Business
Construction Industry
E-Commerce
Small Business Ownership
Search Funds
SBA Loan
Digital Marketing
Small Business Acquisition
Minds Capital
Acquisition

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 weeklyEpisodes461Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessEntrepreneurshipInvesting

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Artwork for Acquiring Minds

Latest Episodes

Gant Elmore and Matt Moldenhauer each bought $2m businesses they built over years. Today their holdco does over $200m. 

Register for the webinar:

• Revenue Recognition & Quality of Revenue in SMB Deals - TOMORROW!! - bit.ly/4dMvx4w

Topics ... more

Zack Mutnik thought he bought a $1.5m electrical contracting business for 2.3x. The numbers weren't what they seemed.

Register for the webinar:

• Kill It Early: Spot Red Flags Before Spending on Diligence - TODAY!! - bit.ly/4eBVO6E

Topics ... more

YouTube

Alicia Powers wanted to buy a general contractor but understood the risks in such businesses and negotiated accordingly.

Register for the webinar: 

• Kill It Early: Spot Red Flags Before Spending on Diligence - Thu, May 14 - bit.ly/4wqiYU3 more

YouTube

Brendan Duebner's goal is to build a healthy, long-term business of 20-40 people. Buying a $1.2m MSP was his first step.

Topics in Brendan’s interview:

• Learning to lead in the Army

• Summer internship with Josh Medow

• Cold calling is unpleasant ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Zack Mutnik
Owner of Mutts Electric (formerly Jeff Masters Electric); seasoned tradesperson with Navy background
Mutts Electric / Jeff Masters Electric
Episode: Too Good to Be True: Year 1 in a $700k SDE Business
Alicia Powers
Owner, Price Builders; design-build general contractor
Price Builders
Episode: How to Structure Around Risk in a $250k SDE Acquisition
Brendan Duebner
Owner of IT Total Care (acquired)
IT Total Care
Episode: Buying Small to Build for the Long Term ($300k SDE)
Andrew Blazenko
Founder of Eterna Equity; acquired multiple businesses including ProSafe and TrueFoam
Eterna Equity
Episode: A $800k Business to Start, $60m Portfolio Today
Dan Burnside
Former owner of Parker Mechanical, HVAC contractor in rural Colorado
Parker Mechanical
Episode: Buying Then Losing a $2.1m HVAC Business
Jeff Flannery
Owner of Hand and Stone Spas, ETA franchising proponent
Hand and Stone Spas
Episode: From $1m to $25m in 6 Years
Greg Hirsch
Former co-owner of Pella Windows and Doors DFW
Hirsch Ventures
Episode: Buying a $40m Business as a 49-Year-Old First-Timer
Barbara Hirsch
Greg's wife, provided perspective on family impact
Private individual
Episode: Buying a $40m Business as a 49-Year-Old First-Timer
Joe Wynn
Owner of Surgical Specialties, medical equipment distributor
Surgical Specialties
Episode: How Business-Buyer Fit Led to 2.2x and No PG

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 680 ratings
  • Best ETA / Search / Business Buying Podcast in the World

    While other podcasts pitch their own services, Will stays focused on delivering accurate, genuinely useful content to his listeners. Hands down the best podcast out there for learning about acquiring a small business.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BigSlick55
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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
    Australia8 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
    Australia10 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 Statesa year 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 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.

Too Good to Be True: Year 1 in a $700k SDE Business
Q: What were the biggest operational challenges after closing?
Initial days were chaotic: poor records, a difficult transition with the seller, and a lack of immediate inbound work; over time, leadership, culture, and targeted marketing helped stabilize revenue and retention.
Too Good to Be True: Year 1 in a $700k SDE Business
Q: Tell us about the moment you decided to buy the business.
I made a decisive internal commitment to move forward, leave my jobs, and take the plunge after weighing risks and believing the opportunity aligned with my goals, even though records were incomplete and due diligence was challenging.
How to Structure Around Risk in a $250k SDE Acquisition
Q: How did you handle the works in progress (WIP) that the seller wouldn't hand over?
We negotiated to keep WIP with the seller while creating two separate accounts; however, the seller insisted on retaining WIP revenue and expenses, which meant we had to structure other parts of the deal to avoid paying for non-transferred WIP from day one.
How to Structure Around Risk in a $250k SDE Acquisition
Q: What were the key terms that actually sealed the deal despite the long closing?
The down payment was delayed, the seller note started later (18 months after close), and the consulting fee was eliminated, effectively letting the seller mentor the buyer for free for 18 months while the business ramped up.
How to Structure Around Risk in a $250k SDE Acquisition
Q: Let's start with background—why did you decide to acquire this particular design-build GC?
I wanted a mentorship-heavy transition, a business with a long-standing customer base and trusted subs, and a structure that would let me leverage my background in Kohler-marketed lead generation while building a stable path forward for my family without assuming sole salary risk upfront.

Audience Metrics

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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. Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

How many episodes of Acquiring Minds are there?

Acquiring Minds launched 5 years ago and published 461 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Acquiring Minds?

Recent guests on Acquiring Minds include:

1. Zack Mutnik
2. Alicia Powers
3. Brendan Duebner
4. Andrew Blazenko
5. Dan Burnside
6. Jeff Flannery
7. Greg Hirsch
8. Barbara Hirsch

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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