• Buying a Mysterious Retail & Distribution Business in Orlando
    May 16 2025

    The team dissects a mysterious $6.3M Florida natural products business that looks great on paper—but raises more questions than answers.

    Business Listing – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s0GFGR8yGnsX_xMKqs8WdiDcdf0t8L8T/view?usp=sharing

    Sponsored by Capital Pad and Connor Gross

    💼 Need capital to buy a business or want to invest in acquisition deals? Visit Capital Pad: https://www.capitalpad.com

    🔥 Ready to explore franchise ownership? Join Connor Gross' newsletter at: https://www.connorgroce.com

    In this episode, Michael, Mills, Heather, and special guest Chelsea from Acquisition Lab unpack a listener-submitted listing: a $6.3 million natural products distribution and retail business in Orlando, Florida. The team grapples with the vagueness of the deal memo—no clear product category, a suspiciously low inventory number, and a business claiming $1.4M+ in steady earnings while only requiring 10 hours a week from the owner. Is it a hidden gem, or is something being left out? Along the way, they explore gender dynamics in M&A, software carve-outs, and what makes a quality broker.

    Key Highlights:

    - Discussion on gender differences in business acquisition readiness and confidence
    - Analysis of a Florida-based business with ~$10M revenue and $1.4M in discretionary earnings
    - Pros and cons of vague listings—and what might be hiding behind them
    - What “SBA financing available” actually means in context
    - Potential for software carve-out and SaaS value in traditional businesses
    - Jackie Hirsch praised as a high-integrity broker

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    31 mins
  • Fire Suppression Business in NYC – Is It Worth the $1M Price Tag?
    May 13 2025

    The hosts dig into a fire suppression business for sale in New York, debating whether it's a hidden gem or a risky bet.

    Business Listing – https://us.businessesforsale.com/us/nyc-fire-suppression-and-consulting-business-in-new-york.aspx

    Sponsored by Acquisition Lab and Connor Gross' Franchise Workshops

    💼 Ready to buy your dream business? Join Acquisition Lab for expert support, resources, and a like-minded community: https://www.acquisitionlab.com/

    🔥 Interested in franchises? Get help from expert Connor Gross and sign up for his franchise ownership workshop: https://www.connorgroce.com

    In this episode, Heather, Bill, and Travis Jamison take on a fire suppression and consulting business based in New York City with $3.6 million in revenue and $750k in cash flow. The seller is offering up to 50% financing, but the team digs deeper into whether the valuation makes sense given its heavy reliance on project-based income versus more stable maintenance revenue. They explore the impact of compliance-driven demand, the potential of long-term contracts, and what kind of buyer would be best suited for a business like this—concluding that it might be a fit, but only for someone with the right background and connections.

    Key Highlights:

    - Breakdown of project vs. maintenance revenue and why it matters
    - Discussion on market growth due to increased fire regulations
    - Why seller financing might indicate underlying risk
    - Considerations for SBA loan structuring in contracting businesses
    - Who should (and shouldn't) buy this business

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

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    30 mins
  • They Want $3.75M for This Pool Club? Analyzing a 56x Earnings Deal
    May 9 2025

    A pool club priced at 56x earnings? The team breaks down one of the strangest listings they've ever seen—and tries to make sense of it.

    Business Listing – https://murphybusiness.com/business-brokerage/detail/21225/popular-swim-club-for-sale/

    🛠 Sponsored by Capital Pad and Viso Business Capital

    Capital Pad: A marketplace connecting acquisition entrepreneurs with investors. Standardized terms, streamlined investing. Learn more: https://www.capitalpad.com

    Viso Business Capital: Get the best SBA loan for your acquisition. Sign up for Heather's free weekly Q&A: https://www.visocap.net

    In this episode, Michael, Heather, and guest co-host Travis Jamison of Capital Pad dissect a wildly overpriced swim club listing in New Jersey—priced at 56 times earnings. They dig into the real estate angle, the potential (and limitations) of seasonal community clubs, and the headaches of financing a business with minimal cash flow. Along the way, Travis shares updates on Capital Pad, Heather dishes out some New Jersey trivia, and the crew debates whether the worst listings hide the best opportunities.

    Key Highlights:

    • A deep dive into a New Jersey swim club priced at $3.75M with just $67K in earnings.
    • Why bad listings might actually hide great deals—sometimes.
    • Real estate vs. business value: when property worth overshadows cash flow.
    • Heather and Travis talk investor/sponsor matchmaking via Capital Pad.
    • Financing challenges for low-earning, high-asset deals.
    • Lifeguard war stories, Jersey Shore property trivia, and more.

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    • 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

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    28 mins
  • Franchise Med Spa Investment Breakdown (2025)
    May 6 2025

    This Med Spa in San Antonio Looks Great—But One Location Might Be Holding It Back...

    Business Listing - https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/leading-multi-site-med-spa-franchise-with-high-margins/2345553/

    Huge thanks to Connor Groce for bringing this deal to the pod! Always great having you on, and this one was a masterclass. For more information or to connect with Connor head to connorgroce.com.


    🚨 Episode Sponsors

    📈 Acquisition Lab — Thinking about buying a business but don’t know where to start? Walker Deibel’s Acquisition Lab has the tools, resources, and community to help you navigate your acquisition journey. Start today: https://www.acquisitionlab.com/

    💸 Viso Business Capital — Need an SBA loan? Heather's firm works with 30+ lenders to get you the best terms with less hassle. Sign up for a free Q&A session here: https://visocap.net (click Zoom Signup in the top right corner)

    In this episode, Michael, Heather, and Connor dissect a $4 million multi-site med spa franchise based in San Antonio, Texas. With two operating locations and a third territory for expansion, this business is riding the aesthetics wave—but is it all smooth Botox or are there some unsightly bumps? The team dives deep into the dynamics of injectables, recurring revenue, regulatory hurdles with MSOs, and why this could be a tricky deal despite high-level metrics. This one's packed with insights into the rapidly evolving med spa industry.

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    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

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    23 mins
  • Salon Suite Franchise Review: Is This $2.5M Deal Worth It?
    May 2 2025

    In this episode, the hosts dive into a salon suite franchise deal in the beauty industry — and why they ultimately gave it a thumbs down.

    Thank you to this episode's special guest Connor Groce. To connect with Connor head to: https://www.connorgroce.com/

    Business Listing - https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/roi-immediately-3-salon-suite-franchises-in-the-ny-tri-state-area/2349645/

    Sponsors:
    🔹 Inzo Technologies - Get a complimentary IT audit for your acquisition with Nick Akers at Inzotechnologies.com.
    🔹 Capital Pad - The marketplace for buying small businesses and raising capital. Learn more at CapitalPad.com.

    Episode Description:
    In this episode, the Acquanon team reviews a deal for three salon suite franchises located across the New York Tri-State area. While the concept of a passive, real estate-light business in the beauty industry sounds appealing, the hosts dig deeper into the financials, occupancy risks, personal guarantees on leases, and the high asking price. They break down why the deal, despite some attractive aspects, ultimately didn't meet their investment criteria.

    Key Highlights:

    - Overview of the salon suite franchise model
    - Why occupancy is critical to profitability
    - Risks of relying on weekly-paying, potentially flaky tenants
    - The hidden dangers of personal guarantees on leases
    - Why the asking price relative to cash flow made the deal unattractive
    - Discussion about franchisor support (or lack thereof)
    - How fixed costs create revenue durability risks

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    • 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

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    28 mins
  • Glass, Cash, and Real Estate: A Dream Deal?
    Apr 29 2025

    In this episode, the hosts dig into a glass business in coastal South Carolina that’s stable, cash-flowing, and comes with real estate—perfect for a buy-and-hold acquisition.

    Business Listing - https://www.loopnet.com/biz/business-opportunity/established-glass-business-in-growing-blufton-sc/2345451/

    🎯 This episode is sponsored by:

    Inzo Technologies – The IT partner made for searchers, by a searcher. Get a complimentary IT audit for your target business at https://www.inzotechnologies.com or email Nick directly at nick@inzotechnologies.com.

    Capital Pad – The marketplace connecting acquisition entrepreneurs with capital. Whether you’re looking to raise or invest, visit https://www.capitalpad.com

    The hosts evaluate a rare, straightforward acquisition opportunity—a custom glass contractor based in Bluffton, South Carolina. With $500K in cash flow, a strong reputation, and real estate included in the $2.7M asking price, it’s a dream deal for a buyer who wants a stable lifestyle business. They discuss how this company serves residential and commercial clients, the regional growth around Hilton Head, the operational nuances of glass contracting, and why this is one of the more “boring is beautiful” deals they’ve seen. Plus, they break down how scale may or may not make sense in this space and touch on challenges with competition and geographic expansion.

    🔑 Key Highlights:

    - Overview of a $2.7M glass business with $500K in cash flow
    - Includes $700K of real estate and fully equipped vehicles
    - Operates in the fast-growing Bluffton/Hilton Head region
    - Strong candidate for SBA financing and owner-operator model
    - Discussion of the fragmented nature of the glass contracting industry
    - Why this isn’t a roll-up play, but a solid buy-and-hold asset
    - Comparison of glass contracting vs. other home service industries
    - Review strategy, competitive landscape, and geographic challenges

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

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    • 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
  • $10M Sauna E-Commerce Business Breakdown
    Apr 25 2025

    This week, the Acquanon crew dives into a $10M revenue sauna and cold plunge e-commerce business — but is the heat already fading on this high-ticket trend?

    Sponsors:
    💸 This episode is sponsored by Capital Pad — the go-to marketplace for connecting acquisition entrepreneurs with investors. Whether you're buying a business or want to back someone who is, Capital Pad streamlines the entire process. Check them out at https://www.capitalpad.com

    🧠 Powered by Acquisition Lab — founded by Harvard MBA Walker Deibel, the Lab helps aspiring business buyers navigate search, diligence, and acquisition with expert support and community. Head to https://www.acquisitionlab.com

    In this episode, Michael, Heather, and Bill analyze a dropshipping business doing $10M in revenue with $1M in EBITDA, focused on premium home saunas and cold plunges. With growing consumer interest in wellness and longevity, the panel debates whether this high-ticket e-commerce model has staying power or if it's already on the downslope of a health fad. They also explore dropshipping risk, marketing moats, and the nuances of buyer psychology when purchases top $5,000. Plus, the team reflects on tariffs, moats, and even Peloton culture in a classic Acquanon blend of laughs and insight.

    Key Highlights:

    • A breakdown of a $10M sauna/cold plunge e-commerce brand asking 5x EBITDA
    • Challenges and risks of dropshipping large, high-ticket items
    • Whether this wellness niche is a lasting trend or already peaked
    • Insights on customer acquisition for $5K+ products
    • Could AI play a role in considered purchases?
    • Why SBA lenders might think twice about funding this deal
    • Romanticizing capitalism, one sauna sale at a time

    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
    30 mins
  • Buying a Carnival Rental Business with $1.3M Profit
    Apr 22 2025

    A $7M bouncy house and carnival rental business in Georgia—genius niche or inflatable insanity?

    Business Listing - https://www.bizquest.com/business-for-sale/incredible-business-opportunity/BW2346015/

    🎙️ This episode is sponsored by:
    👉 Inzo Technologies – IT services tailored for small business buyers. Get a complimentary IT audit: https://www.inzotechnologies.com/
    👉 Capital Pad – Invest in or raise capital for small business acquisitions. Start here: https://www.capitalpad.com/

    This week on Acquisitions Anonymous, Michael, Bill, and Mills dive into a surprisingly profitable business in a notoriously low-margin space—bouncy house and carnival ride rentals. Operating out of Lawrenceville, Georgia, this $7 million asking price business boasts $3 million in assets, over 500 inflatables, 24 carnival rides, and $1.3 million in annual cash flow. The guys dig into the operational model, customer base, and whether the capital intensity justifies the valuation. Is this the Chick-fil-A of carnivals or a seller in over their head?

    Key Highlights:

    • Breakdown of a $7M carnival rental business listed FSBO
    • $3M in asset value including Ferris wheels, inflatables, and zip lines
    • Annual net income of $1.3M from repeat B2B customers like schools and churches
    • Discussion of CapEx-heavy businesses and how they impact valuation
    • Exploration of potential growth into traveling pop-up models like “Big Bounce America”
    • How self-represented sellers can lose buyer confidence
    • Valuation insights: 3x cash flow + asset-heavy business = tricky deal
    • The guys’ take on recession resistance and customer loyalty
    • Importance of understanding tail risk and bounce house insurance

    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
    30 mins