Acquiring Minds cover art

Acquiring Minds

By: Will Smith
  • Summary

  • 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/@AcquiringMinds Sign up for episode summaries at: https://acquiringminds.co
    2021 - 2023, Acquiring Minds
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Episodes
  • Buy as Search Fund, Keep as Long-Term Owner
    Jul 8 2024

    Register for the webinars:

    • SBA Lender Roundtable: State of the Market - https://bit.ly/4eTZ8Yn

    • Due Diligence Office Hours - https://bit.ly/3WbAs6h

    • Search Investor Roundtable: State of the Market - https://bit.ly/4eVYDxc

    • Purchase Agreement Fights: How to Avoid (or Win) Them - https://bit.ly/4bwcgQx

    By doubling a $3m EBITDA business Juan Aguilar bought with traditional search fund terms, he is able to hold it forever.

    Topics in Juan’s interview:

    • Huge challenge of buying a business in Central America
    • Buying a door manufacturer in Guatemala
    • Implementing EOS
    • Moving his focus from “how” to “who”
    • Raising prices 25%
    • Focusing on service, quality, and volume
    • Finding a CEO to replace him
    • Having a liquidity event without exiting the business
    • Transitioning towards a permanent capital model
    • Plan for a holdco

    References and how to contact Juan:

    • LinkedIn
    • Paltus Capital

    Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

    • Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR

    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
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 51 mins
  • It Really Happened: 100% Financing for an $8m Business
    Jul 4 2024

    Register for the webinars:

    • Thu July 11 - SBA Lender Roundtable: State of the Market - https://bit.ly/4eJqUXB

    • Fri July 12 - Due Diligence Office Hours - https://bit.ly/3VPQf9p


    We caution against thinking you can find it: 100% seller financing. But Renan Cortez did — and on a sizable business.

    Topics in Renan’s interview:

    • His background as an Army medic
    • Learning about acquisition via Codie Sanchez
    • Using a virtual assistant to search for a business
    • Negotiating a 100% seller note
    • Feeling motivated by philanthropy
    • Spending too much money too fast after transition
    • Getting a bridge loan to make payroll
    • Rebranding the restoration company
    • Raising capital for growth
    • His large roll-up vision

    References and how to contact Renan:

    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Syndicate Building Solutions
    • Syndicate Venture Group

    Get a complementary pre-acquisition HR & PEO review for your target business:

    • Contact mark@aspenhr.com or visit Aspen HR

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

    • Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund Team

    Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

    • Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business

    Connect with Acquiring Minds:

    • See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
    • Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
    • Follow Will on Twitter
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 37 mins
  • Turning $500k into a $38m Holdco (No Investors)
    Jul 1 2024

    Register for the webinars:

    • Thu July 11 - SBA Lender Roundtable: State of the Market - https://bit.ly/3XSdIcG

    • Fri July 12 - Due Diligence Office Hours - https://bit.ly/3W1zQA6


    Garrison Snell enjoyed a modest exit at age 24. By 30, he'd parlayed that into a holdco with $9m EBITDA and a mission.

    Topics in Garrison’s interview:

    • Building and exiting a recording artist marketing agency
    • His objective to do the most good for the most people
    • Early ventures into real estate
    • Buying and quickly selling a restaurant
    • Acquiring in the manufacturing space
    • Understanding and applying Porter’s 5 Forces
    • Advantage of being a low-cost, essential supplier
    • Recent leadership challenges at a new acquisition
    • Building an indefinite holding company
    • Power of a community-minded small business

    References and how to contact Garrison:

    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • garrison.snell@snellventures.com
    • Rafael Quinn’s episode
    • Competitive Strategy by Michael E. Porter

    Smithlist is a new job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:

    • Smithlist - Operate & Lead a Business

    Work with an SBA broker who focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:

    • Matthias Smith of Pioneer Capital Advisory

    Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

    • 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
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 47 mins

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