This final episode of the ETA series brings everything full circle. If you've been following along, you know we’ve covered the entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) space in depth—exploring what it takes to buy a business, what can go wrong, what goes right, and how investors evaluate deals.

In this episode, the host breaks down:

• Why acquisitions became part of her growth strategy
• The real challenges of buying a business vs. starting from scratch
• Lessons from her own ETA journey, including deals that fell through
• Why innovation and AI are crucial, even when acquiring an existing business
• How to determine the right path for you—startup vs. acquisition

No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, this episode will give you valuable insights into wealth-building, growth, and business strategy.

Whether you’re an aspiring searcher, a startup founder, or someone exploring business ownership, you’ll walk away with actionable insights for your next steps.

📩 Join the host's newsletter for exclusive insights & updates: tpmfocus.com/newsletter TPM Focus Newsletter - "Unpolished Business"

💡 Want to learn how to scale smarter with AI & automation? Join the waitlist: tpmfocus.com/businessstrategy This is the Business Strategy Cohort of entrepreneurs learning directly from the host of Unpolished MBA.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Most searchers focus on finding the perfect business to buy—but what happens after the deal closes? In this episode, Monique Mills sits down with investor and experienced entrepreneur Mario Montag to discuss what really drives post-acquisition success. Spoiler: it’s not just adding new tech and CRMs.

Mario shares what he looks for in searchers before investing, why operational execution is the #1 factor in long-term success, and the importance of EOS (from the book Traction). He also reveals the biggest mistakes searchers make, why keeping customers is the most critical post-close task, and why the ETA space needs more honest conversations about its challenges.

If you’re thinking about acquiring a business or investing in one, don’t miss this conversation!

Key Topics:

• The investor mindset in ETA
• Key operational improvements that drive value
• How to assess risk and avoid hidden pitfalls in acquisitions
• Why seller notes and earnouts are essential protections
• Lessons from failed deals
• 
  

📌 Mentioned in this episode:

🔗 The Book Traction (EOS Framework): https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

🔗 Mario Montag’s Website:https://mariomontag.com

🔗 Mario Montag on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariomontag/

🔗 Fruition Capital:https://fruitioncap.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

In this episode, hosts discuss how cash flow can make or break your business. Whether you're running a company, buying one, or just trying to keep your finances in check, understanding how money moves through your business is essential.

Joined by Josh Tejkl, a Fractional CFO and cash flow expert, he uncovers the biggest financial mistakes entrepreneurs make—and how to fix them.

He breaks down how to collect payments faster, why cash flow forecasting is essential, and the real difference between Controllers, CFOs, and Bookkeepers (so you don’t overpay for what you don’t need).

If you're serious about building a financially strong business, avoiding cash shortages, and learning real-world financial strategies, this is a must-listen episode.

Key Takeaways:

• How late payments can silently kill your business
• The right way to chase invoices & collect payments faster
• The cash conversion cycle & why it matters more than you think
• How AI is disrupting financial management (and what’s next)
• The biggest cash flow traps in business acquisitions

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Guest Co-Hosts:

Company -->August Advisory - https://augustadvisory.co/

LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjtejkl

Company --> thechiefrebel.com

Book --> https://www.thechiefrebel.com/book

LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinzaazmat/

Company --> Sunset Coast Partners

NEW BOOK RELEASING SOON!

Jedbmorris.com

LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedmorris/

Newsletter --> https://stillsearching.beehiiv.com/subscribe