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Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating

Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating

By: Bill D'Alessandro Mills Snell Heather Endresen and Michael Girdley
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Jump into the world of business acquisitions with hosts Bill D'Alessandro, Mills Snell, Heather Endresen, and Michael Girdley.

We review real businesses for sale in each episode, providing expert insights, strategies, and tips to make savvy business moves like the pros. Perfect for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in buying and selling businesses.

© 2025 Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Would You Buy a Dolphin Resort in Mexico?
    Nov 28 2025

    In this episode the hosts dissect a bankruptcy‑sale opportunity involving dolphin‑habitat real estate in the Riviera Maya, Mexico — and explore whether the outsized risk of “ditch‑risk” is worth the potential payoff.

    Business Listing – https://www.keen-summit.com/project/bankruptcy-sale-dolphin-aquariums-real-estate/

    Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.

    💰 Sponsored by:
    Acquisition Lab – Your fast-track to business ownership. Get hands-on support, world-class resources, and join a top-tier community of acquisition entrepreneurs. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.acquisitionlab.com and mention Acquisitions Anonymous!

    Tonnesen Accounting Services - Tonnesen provides full quality of earnings reports trusted by buyers, lenders, and brokers on over $500 million in deals each year. Fast, detailed, and affordable. Visit tonnesenaccountingservices.com or connect with Josh Tonnesen on LinkedIn for a free consult.

    This episode focuses on a unique acquisition opportunity: a debtor’s assets in bankruptcy that include three parcels in the Riviera Maya (near Cancun) — one developed property with a ~71,000 ft² dolphin habitat, and two undeveloped commercial‐zoned lots adjacent to a major luxury outlet mall and the Cancun airport. The listing is marketed via the bankruptcy court (in Delaware) on behalf of the debtor Leisure Investment Holdings LLC.

    Key Highlights:
    - Opportunity: Three parcels in Riviera Maya (Mexico) including a dolphin habitat (~71k ft²) & commercial‐zoned land near major outlet mall & airport.
    - Structure: Bankruptcy court‐administered sale; buyer must navigate liens, foreclosure history, foreign title risk.
    - Industry risk: “Experience” business with captive dolphins is under regulatory/social pressure; decline in captive marine attractions cited.
    - Foreign/operational risk: Real estate in Mexico + tourism zone + previous failing business = high risk of security, regulatory, title issues (“ditch‐risk”).
    - Redevelopment potential: If the marine attraction is jettisoned, land could be repositioned for resort, wedding venue, outlet‐adjacent commercial use—but competition and local developer awareness likely high.

    Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox

    Advertise with us by clicking here

    • Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
    • Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
    • Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

    For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • $19M for a Custom Art Biz – Smart Move or Overpay?
    Nov 25 2025

    In this episode the hosts dissect a $19 million “painting‑on‑demand” e‑commerce business making ~$15 million in sales and ~$3.67 million in earnings, and debate whether the price tag is justified given a crowded market and uncertain moat.

    Business Listing – https://mailchi.mp/websiteclosers/new-deal-alert-online-art-gallery-ecommerce-brand-handmade-paintings-collection-strong-repeat-order-rate-3600-48-star-reviews2?e=42dc999128

    Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.

    💰 Sponsored by:
    Capital Pad – A platform connecting accredited investors with vetted small business acquisition deals. Discover exclusive opportunities at https://capitalpad.com

    Tonnesen Accounting Services - Tonnesen provides full quality of earnings reports trusted by buyers, lenders, and brokers on over $500 million in deals each year. Fast, detailed, and affordable. Visit tonnesenaccountingservices.com or connect with Josh Tonnesen on LinkedIn for a free consult.

    The business under review is a niche e‑commerce company in the custom hand‑painted art space: a made‑to‑order model with no inventory, ~$15 million in revenue (~$14.963 million) and ~$3.67 million earnings, asking price ~$19 million. The owners claim high average order value (~$1,500), ~20% repeat customer rate, ~30% net margins, and growth since 2020.

    Key Highlights:
    - Asking Price: ~$19 million for revenue ~$14.96 million and earnings ~$3.67 million.
    - Business Model: custom hand‑painted art on demand, average order value ~$1,500, ~20% repeat customers, claimed ~30% net margin.
    - Operational Setup: no inventory, contractor‑based production, D2C Shopify site, paid media + email automation driving growth.
    - Risks: Extremely crowded market (many “print on demand” or custom art providers), potential rising customer acquisition cost, young business with limited track record.
    - Strategic Questions: Does it have a compelling moat (exclusive artist network, unique IP, proprietary customer funnel)? Could a larger buyer replicate or disrupt the model? What happens if ad costs or competitor entry escalate?

    Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox

    Advertise with us by clicking here

    • Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
    • Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
    • Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

    For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Inside a Miami Contractor Sale: Hidden Accounting Traps & Big Backlog
    Nov 21 2025

    In this episode the hosts dissect a $23 million asking‑price acquisition of a Miami‑based specialty contractor with $41 M revenue, $4.7 M EBITDA, a $52 M backlog—and dig into its contract structure, accounting risks and deal suitability.

    Business Listing Link – https://businessesforsale.nuwireinvestor.com/business-opportunity/specialty-contractor-with-long-term-contracts-and-62mm-backlog/2395873/?J=AN

    Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.

    💰 Sponsored by:
    Tonnesen Accounting Services - Tonnesen provides full quality of earnings reports trusted by buyers, lenders, and brokers on over $500 million in deals each year. Fast, detailed, and affordable. Visit tonnesenaccountingservices.com or connect with Josh Tonnesen on LinkedIn for a free consult.

    Acquisition Lab – Your fast-track to business ownership. Get hands-on support, world-class resources, and join a top-tier community of acquisition entrepreneurs. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.acquisitionlab.com and mention Acquisitions Anonymous!

    In this episode, the team reviews a specialty contractor serving healthcare and aviation clients in Miami‑Dade County, founded in 2007, with ~$41 M in revenue, ~$4.7 M in EBITDA, and a contracted backlog of ~$52 M. The asking price of ~$23 M implies about a 4.9× EBITDA multiple. The business claims that 80‑85% of revenue comes from renewable 3‑5 year institutional contracts with government and institutional clients, and emphasizes a capital‑light model with only ~$100k in equipment and ~53 employees.

    Key Highlights:
    - Revenue ~$41‑45 M, EBITDA ~$4.7 M (~10% margin) with backlog ~$52 M.
    - Asking price ~$23 M → ~4.9× EBITDA, which is reasonable compared to many contractor deals.
    - Contract structure: 80‑85% from 3‑5 year renewable institutional contracts (government, healthcare, aviation) which reduce reliance on open bidding.
    - Accounting/diligence risks: low equipment/FF&E (~$100k) suggests perhaps subcontract model or specialized niche; retainage, WIP, deferred revenue and billing practices must be scrutinized.
    - Buyer fit & financing: likely better for an industry‑experienced buyer; banks/lenders will want low leverage and proven transition plan given the contract complexity and possible change‑of‑control risk.

    Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inbox

    Advertise with us by clicking here

    • Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
    • Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show!
    • Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations.

    For inquiries or suggestions, email us at contact@acquanon.com

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
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