Acquiring Minds

Rob Belk networked his way to "the most caffeinated guy in town" searching for a local business — then found it online. 
Register for the webinars:
From Working IN the Business to ON the Business: How Owners Make the Transition - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4aKP3fY
Don't Rush: How to Prepare for a Quality of Earnings Report - Tue, Jul 21 - https://bit.ly/4feY1DP
Topics in Rob’s interview:
Geographic search in the Triad of North Carolina
Networking with local business owners
Finding a business through Axial
Buying a marketing and consumer research agency
His choice to stay out of the weeds
Bringing in a consultant (maybe too) early
How his agency intersects with the trades
Structuring a 50% earnout
Consensus-based leadership style
Finding clients through Substack
References and how to contact Rob:
LinkedIn
Sales Factory
Adam Duggins on Acquiring Minds: How to Build a Holdco of 4 Blue Collar Businesses in 10 Years
Joe Soelberg on Acquiring Minds: Buying Small to Then Buy Larger $1m SDE
Bryan Houck on Acquiring Minds: 4th Time's the Charm: 3 Broken Deals to Buy a Great Business
Scott Alexander on Acquiring Minds: Rebuilding from 80% Collapse to Mid 7 Figures Revenue 
Rob’s 10-page Search Learnings
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
Download the New CEO’s Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:
From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.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

Chris Farkas endured a 7-week fetal position moment when he finally found a website bug that had cost him $500k in sales.
Register for the webinar:
From Working IN the Business to ON the Business: How Owners Make the Transition - Thu, Jul 16 - https://bit.ly/4vRBhk8
Topics in Chris’s interview: 
Going through Acquisition Lab
First deal fell through on Christmas Eve
Acquiring an ecommerce business with a warehouse
Buying inventory he didn’t want
The marketing agencies that hurt his business
Business almost tanked due to website glitch
Doing $10k in sales per day
Hardship of traveling every other week
Why he stays off Amazon
Make only one change at a time
References and how to contact Chris:
LinkedIn
EmergencyKits.com
Russ Hadlock on Acquiring Minds: The Front Lines of a Crisis
Dave Richards of Keystone Business Advisors
Kalen Foster of Live Oak Bank
Get a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.
Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.
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

After 25 years in corporate, Gina Rosen bought a jewelry wholesaling business with $635k in sales — now on track to $1m.
Register for the webinar: 
Finance Essentials Before You Close - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4fcxTdK
Topics in Gina’s interview:
Leaving corporate for more family time
Decoupling her salary from her value
Acquiring the supplier for her side gig
Her mistake with buying inventory
Keeping her corporate job the first year
Going full time in the business to focus on sales
Standing out by making sales calls in-person
Operating a highly seasonal business
How tariffs have affected her business
Acquiring without the SBA 
References and how to contact Gina:
LinkedIn
Seasons Jewelry
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
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

Buying a metal fabricator with $1m in earnings pivoted Paul Callahan into the new entrepreneurial chapter of his career.
Register for the webinar: 
Finance Essentials Before You Close - Thu, Jul 9 - https://bit.ly/4eMaUow
Topics in Paul’s interview:
M&A, integrations, and private equity experience
COVID Zoom fatigue sparked career pivot
Atlanta’s crowded deal market challenges
Hiring buy-side help while still working
Pursuing full ownership without outside investors
Navigating two simultaneous LOIs carefully
Choosing SBA 504 over 7(a) financing for the real estate
Acquiring a high capex business
Replacing Ferrari equipment with Toyota reliability
Why consultants make strong ETA operators
References and how to contact Paul:
LinkedIn
Metro Metal Works
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.
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

Jeff Homer bought a small local music school as a fun side hustle. It turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Topics in Jeff interview:
Switching from high finance to music schools
Buying his first music school as a side project
Raising growth equity after first 2 acquisitions
Acquiring a music school every month
Artists’ negative predisposition toward selling
Comparing profitability of music vs. dance
Importance of general managers in scaling
Implementing apps to streamline operations
Other industries with roll-up potential
Rolling up 60+ music/dance schools nationwide
References and how to contact Jeff:
LinkedIn
Ensemble Performing Arts
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
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