Acquiring Minds

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:https://www.youtube.com/@AcquiringMindsSign up for episode summaries at:https://acquiringminds.co

Acquiring Minds is a business podcast hosted by Will Smith, with 496 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Will Smith hosts Acquiring Minds, a business show with 496 episodes published.

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  Acquiring Minds

  The $150k Hiding in the Business He Bought

  Oct 1, 20261h 30m

  Patrick Dunphy acquired a low-seven-figure interpreter agency, then halved its collection times in year one. Topics in Patrick’s interview: From Army aviation to business ownership Why Patrick chose ownership over corporate success Three years searching while working full-time Turning red flags into acquisition opportunities Why intrinsic value matters beyond financial returns Building a scalable, contractor-driven service business Structuring an SBA acquisition without seller financing Cutting payment times in half through better invoicing Preserving trust through a quiet ownership transition Growing through new markets and government contracts References and how to contact Patrick: LinkedIn JS Languages 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

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  Acquiring Minds

  How to Buy a $2.1m Business Without the SBA

  Sep 28, 20261h 28m

  Jack Rauch left politics for a niche Florida business no bank would finance. He's doubled revenue twice since. Register for the webinar: Sizing an SBA Loan to the Cash Flow - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4hrFwge Topics in Jack’s interview: From the White House to entrepreneurship Discovering an overlooked private provider niche Customers helped save the business How private inspections accelerate construction projects Expanding beyond the seller's tiny territory Navigating licensing requirements without industry experience Financing the deal without SBA backing Raising prices and finding unexpected growth Doubling revenue during each ownership year Joining industry leadership to reduce regulatory risk References and how to contact Jack: LinkedIn Tew & Taylor 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

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  Acquiring Minds

  Buying a $7.3m Golf Course with No Money Down

  Sep 24, 20261h 30m

  Kyle Holmes spent 8 years running Quail Ridge for its investor owners. Then they asked if he wanted to buy it. Register for the webinars: Protect the Business: How to Diligence Insurance Pre-Close - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4xvNj2E Sizing an SBA Loan to the Cash Flow - Tue, Sep 29 - https://bit.ly/4y1Xr4a Topics in Kyle’s interview: Growing up in a golf family Running Quail Ridge before becoming an owner Being approached about buying the golf course Golf’s boom, recession, and post-COVID resurgence Michigan’s surprisingly strong golf market Revenue from golf, dining, events, and driving range Improving Quail Ridge before buying the business Valuing land worth more than operations Negotiating from $6.5 million to $7.3 million Financing with SBA, conventional, and seller debt References and how to contact Kyle: LinkedIn Quail Ridge Golf Club Contact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition: Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.com 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

  ListenShow Notes
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  Acquiring Minds

  Buying a $12.5m Contractor to Create 1,000 Jobs

  Sep 21, 20261h 31m

  Manolo Diaz Corrada came home to Puerto Rico to build for decades and keep the wealth from leaving the island. Register for the webinars: Working Capital: What Buyers Need to Know Before Closing - TOMORROW!! - https://bit.ly/4yJUdSX Protect the Business: How to Diligence Insurance Pre-Close - Thu, Sep 24 - https://bit.ly/4rlZei3 Topics in Manolo’s interview: Building a career across engineering, business, and law Fighting Puerto Rico’s brain drain Launching a self-funded search in a tiny market Why traditional search fund investor passed on Puerto Rico Finding an acquisition through family connections Navigating SBA financing challenges in Puerto Rico Using reputation as a due diligence tool Betting on Puerto Rico’s infrastructure boom Using backlog to underwrite acquisition risk Structuring a deal with seller financing References and how to contact Manolo: LinkedIn Bonneville Group Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program: Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team 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

  ListenShow Notes
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  Acquiring Minds

  $340k to $1.3m of Earnings in 14 Months

  Sep 14, 20261h 32m

  Rob Brooks bought a $1.9m Sarasota HVAC shop, then ignored the advice to wait 90 days before changing it. Register for the webinar: Equity Financing: From SBA Deals to Independent Sponsors - Thu, Sep 17 - https://bit.ly/3VqwuZu Topics in Rob’s interview: Choosing an industry where he had an edge Buying smaller to reduce debt risk Understanding prepaid customer obligations Using ChatGPT to learn HVAC Making changes immediately after acquisition Inheriting a GM and long-tenured employees Digitizing operations and increasing accountability Transforming a blame culture into a problem-solving culture Adding weekly employee training sessions Practicing radical honesty with customers References and how to contact Rob: LinkedIn Gary Air Grant Hensel Jack Carr on Acquiring Minds: Back from the Brink When Everybody Quits Day 1 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 The ecosystem for serious acquisition entrepreneurs—education, capital, community, and post-close support to buy and grow a business: The Acquisition Lab Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses: Pioneer Capital Advisory 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

  ListenShow Notes

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