Neil Finneran returns 3 years after buying a business so small it barely paid him a salary — now on pace for $800k.

Register for the webinars:

• Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4qg4P9k
• Licenses & Regulatory Issues When Buying a Business - Tue, Aug 25 - https://bit.ly/4wTADDf

Topics in Neil’s interview:

• Neil’s previous appearance on Acquiring Minds
• His background in hedge funds
• Pain of buying small
• Managing labor and no-shows
• Implementing a hybrid-pay model for techs
• The acquisition that tripled his revenue
• Christmas lights services in the off season
• Rising customer acquisition costs
• Barriers to entry in pest control
• Why his outcome diverged from Jesse Sunquist’s

References and how to contact Neil:

• LinkedIn
• Mosquito Joe of Andover-Peabody
• Neil’s first appearance on Acquiring Minds: How to Survive Going from Hedge Funds to SMB Owner
• Jesse’s most recent appearance on Acquiring Minds: 3 Years, $80k In: An Honest Update
• Jesse’s first appearance on Acquiring Minds: How to Widen Your Search to Buy a Business

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

Jesse Sunquist put a GM in charge and stepped back to 5 hours a week — proud of the experience, restless about the outcome.

Register for the webinar:

• Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - Thu, Aug 13 - https://bit.ly/4wPHY6R

Topics in Jesse’s interview:

• Buying a business for flexibility
• Geographical search in New Jersey
• Lowering his minimum SDE threshold to $300K
• Acquiring 2 Mosquito Joe territories
• His plan to build wealth through franchise roll-ups
• Modest growth followed by shrink
• How other owners handle the off-season
• Taking a W2 with the intent to sell
• Inability to find a buyer
• Hiring a great GM to run it

References and how to contact Jesse:

• LinkedIn
• Mosquito Joe
• Jesse’s previous interviews on Acquiring Minds:

#1 Reflections After 1 Year of Searching Full Time

#2 A Reward for Widening Search to $300k SDE

• Neil Finneran on Acquiring Minds: How to Survive Going from Hedge Funds to SMB Owner

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

Greyson Boerner traded startup life for a 28-year-old niche business — now on pace to grow revenue 50% in year one.

Register for the webinar:

• Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4z0fkBx

Topics in Greyson’s interview:

• Founding software startups
• ETA as a path to stability
• Getting his education with Acquisition Lab
• Finding business brokers through Google Maps
• Uncovered niche church pew restoration business
• Competitor closure created significant growth opportunity
• Church visit reinforced acquisition decision
• Hired bilingual ops manager to bridge communication
• Stolen truck fiasco
• Revenue up 50%, margins pressured by investments

References and how to contact Greyson:

• LinkedIn
• Worship Interiors Group

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

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

Chibunna Chimezie's seller left $15k in the account. His post-acquisition liquidity is the only reason he made it.

Register for the webinar:

• Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - Thu, Aug 13 - https://bit.ly/4wUCNSY

Topics in Chibunna’s interview:

• His family’s immigration story from Nigeria
• Interest in how American healthcare works
• Learning to manage risk in business school
• Acquiring a service provider for veterans
• Government shutdown meant no revenue first 2 months
• Post-acquisition liquidity for the win
• Challenges veterans face back home
• Answering the after-hours phone himself
• His journey from banking to behavioral health
• Investment from New Majority Capital

References and how to contact Chibunna:

• LinkedIn
• Veterans Room
• New Majority Capital

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

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

Randy Rempp turned around a $17m insurance business as a rookie CEO, then used that track record to raise a search fund.

Register for the webinar:

• The 3 Paths to Franchising for Acquisition Entrepreneurs - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4yGEhSe

Topics in Randy’s interview:

• From insurance lawyer to business operator
• Leading 300 employees at age 29
• Why ownership beats being the hired gun
• Switching to a traditional search fund
• Investors bet on operators, not deal finders
• River guides unlock industries and warm introductions
• Inside the $31 million acquisition structure
• Why every CEO needs a strong CFO
• The F-reorg that saved the deal
• Refinancing to return capital and fuel growth

References and how to contact Randy:

• LinkedIn
• Meridian Title Corporation
• Young Presidents Organization (YPO)

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

Gabriel Cruz Avila bought a $1.4M remodeling business, weathered a divorce and burnout, then sold it two years later.

Register for the webinar:

• The 3 Paths to Franchising for Acquisition Entrepreneurs - Thu, Aug 6 - https://bit.ly/4pY7VOX

Topics in Gabriel’s interview:

• Lessons learned from his dad’s business
• Getting bored in the oil and gas industry
• Joining ETA Circle in Houston
• Leaning on his warehouse management experience
• Acquiring a tile and marble company
• Failing to dig deep into historical revenue
• Using technology to eliminate 2 admin roles
• Negative working capital in home remodels
• Going through a divorce
• Burnout led to selling the business

References and how to contact Gabriel:

• gabriel.cruz.avila@gmail.com
• LinkedIn
• Katy Tile & Marble
• ETA Circle

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

Edgar Galindo and his partner bought 2 businesses with SBA loans. Now he's facing the consequences of shuttering both.

Topics in Edgar’s interview:

• Construction background in his family business
• “Google-funded search”
• Wanted flexibility to start a family
• Austin-only geographic search
• Found partner through Searchfunder
• First deal: Austin landscaping company
• Buying a second business within 6 months
• Making quick changes to the business
• Undisclosed liabilities and customer-stealing employees
• Closing both businesses and facing bankruptcy

References and how to contact Edgar:

• LinkedIn

Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

• Pioneer Capital Advisory

Get complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:

• Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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

Patrick Beal left tech to buy an HVAC business with 90% seller financing, no SBA. He's on track to hit $3.5m this year.

Register for the webinar:

• Working Capital: One of ETA’s Most Expensive Mistakes - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4f8pSGY

Topics in Patrick interview:

• Entrepreneurship in his family
• Zoom fatigue from remote work
• Searching in Northeast Ohio
• Finding a business through his network
• Meeting with the seller for almost a year
• Structuring 10% down, 90% seller note
• Underestimating working capital needs
• Keeping his W-2 until the business grew
• Quadrupling revenue in 2 years
• Working on getting his HVAC license

References and how to contact Patrick:

• LinkedIn
• Temperature Control Maintenance
• Linh Tran on Acquiring Minds: The Dream Outcome: From $300k to $5m EBITDA
• Steve Carroll on Acquiring Minds: ETA Unicorn: $1 Billion in Revenue in 5 Years

Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:

• From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.com

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.

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