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Acquiring Minds

Acquiring Minds

By: Will Smith
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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.co2021 - 2023, Acquiring Minds Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • From Searcher to Sponsor: How to Buy a $22m Business
    Jul 17 2025

    Register for the webinar:

    • Common Legal Diligence Issues (and How to Handle Them) - July 17th - https://bit.ly/4kwHlbw

    Yan Vinarskiy began as a self-funded searcher but shifted his model mid-search when he found a business too big for SBA.

    Topics in Yan’s interview:

    • Using a buy-side broker to search and close
    • Being inspired to take on a large deal
    • Trade-offs of independent sponsor economics
    • Board dynamics and governance
    • Building a pitch deck
    • Refining his investor pitch
    • Hostility from sellers after close
    • Transforming a toxic company culture
    • Expanding the business model
    • Managing 2 separate businesses

    References and how to contact Yan:

    • LinkedIn
    • Floorguard
    • Calder Capital
    • Niklas James on Acquiring Minds: Self-Funded Search vs. Independent Sponsorship
    • Mike Okhravi on Acquiring Minds: Doing It His Way: First-Timer Buys 2 at Once

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

    • The Acquisition Lab

    Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

    • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

    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
    Produced by Pam Cameron

    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 3 mins
  • Saying No to CEO Roles, Yes to Ownership
    Jul 14 2025

    Register for the webinar:

    • Common Legal Diligence Issues (and How to Handle Them) - July 17th - https://bit.ly/4lo4Swu

    Accomplished CEO Marci LaRouech sought to build a business without investor pressure. A sub $1m HR firm was the way.

    Topics in Marci’s interview:

    • Leading Makai HR through growth and exit as CEO
    • 2 reasons she likes project work
    • Comparing HR consulting and PEO business models
    • Acquiring Seay HR with 40% seller financing
    • Leveraging associations and networks for client growth
    • Building a strong team for high-touch HR service
    • Growth in fractional HR work
    • Becoming the leading HR firm for the pest control industry
    • How AI can be useful for human resources
    • Ease of hiring in HR

    References and how to contact Marci:

    • LinkedIn
    • marci@seay.us
    • Seay HR
    • Seay HR ETA for Searchers
    • Iris Levine on Acquiring Minds: $6m Business, 3 Minutes From Childhood Home

    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 mark@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
    Produced by Pam Cameron

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 40 mins
  • From Sales Freefall to $1.2m/Month
    Jul 10 2025

    By reconceiving the paint dealership he bought as a marketing & sales organization, Ryan Adams pushed it to new heights.

    Topics in Ryan’s interview:

    • Transferring from military to business
    • Focusing on selling one service
    • Underestimating working capital needs
    • The business tanked after acquisition
    • Rescuing the company by fixing his sales process
    • Properly incentivizing for the outcome he wants
    • Learning digital marketing himself
    • Cost per acquisition metric
    • Where he finds good sales guys
    • Expanding his territory by buying a competitor

    References and how to contact Ryan:

    • LinkedIn
    • Rhino Shield
    • $100M Leads: How to Get Strangers To Want To Buy Your Stuff by Alex Hormozi

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

    • From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.com

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

    • Pioneer Capital Advisory

    Get a complimentary IT audit of your target business:

    • Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you’re a searcher

    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
    Produced by Pam Cameron

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 32 mins

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